Wetszone.com, Brunei's first and only legal online music store, in collaboration with Midas Productions and Sistic is giving its members a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see Robbie Williams live in concert.

One lucky winner will receive a pair of tickets to see his concert in Singapore on November 18, 2006. All one has to do is download any song from Wetszone.com's online music store from now till the end of September.
The more songs one downloads means the more chances they will actually get to win. Each song download is B$2.40.

Over 500,000 songs have been made available from three major recording labels, namely Sony Music, BMG Entertainment and Warner Music as well as 40independent labels ranging from USA, UK, India, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
Those who wish to download songs from Wetszone.com's music store would have to purchase a pink point card (available in B$9 and B$21) from any authorised vendor.
They can then log on to wetszone.com and key in the serial numbers on the card. b.mobile users can also access Wetszone.com's music store from b.world portal and direct to their phones for their listening pleasure.
Those who are not Wetszone members can register online at http://wetszone.com for free.

The winner of the Robbie Williams' concert tickets will be announced the first week of October through Wetszone.com as well as local print media.

Source: http://www.wetszone.com/

VH1 Will Telecast 'The 2006 UK Music Hall of Fame'
Saturday November 25 9:00 PM VH1 Classic Will Air an Extended Version of Ceremony
Friday November 24 8:00 PM2006


UK Music Hall Of Fame premieres on VH1 as a two-hour extravaganza on Saturday November 25th 9:00p.m.* Prince joined the inductees for this year's event -- Brian Wilson,Dusty Springfield, Led Zeppelin, Rod Stewart, Bon Jovi and James Brown in astar-studded evening full of musical legends. These seven joined Sir GeorgeMartin who received this year's Honorary Membership in recognition of hisexceptional contribution to British music.


The "2006 UK Music Hall of Fame" took place at the famed AlexandraPalace in London on November 14th and included a rare public appearance by Led Zeppelin, founding member and 'guitar god' Jimmy Page and performances by inductee Brian Wilson and his band; British soul sensation Joss Stone and R&B legend Patti LaBelle who paid tribute to Dusty Springfield; a supergroup tribute to the Beatles conducted by Sir George Martin which featured Queen's Roger Taylor, Johnny Borrell of Razorlight, Swedish singer/songwriter Jose Gonzales and Corinne Baily Rae. Finally, Wolfmother performed a tribute to Led Zeppelin and James Morrison performed tribute to Rod Stewart.

VH1 Classic will premiere an unexpurgated, extended version ceremony onFriday, November 24 at 8:00 p.m.

VH1 Classic viewers will witness a showfull of extras, brimming with amazing performances and tributes too huge tobe missed.

On November 11, 2004 music history was made with the inaugural ceremonyof The UK Music Hall of Fame.

The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Madonna, BobMarley, Elvis Presley, Queen, Cliff Richard & The Shadows, The RollingStones, U2 and Robbie Williams were the first artists to enter the UK MusicHall of Fame and Chris Blackwell (the founder of Island Records) was given the Honorary Membership for services to the music industry.

*All times ET/PT

Contacts: At VH1:
Michelle Clark, 212-846-5576 /
michelle.clark@vh1staff.com (michelle.clark@vh1staff.com)

At initial: Charlie Gardner, 020 8222 4116 charlie.gardner@endemoluk.com (charlie.gardner@endemoluk.com)

At Channel 4: Loretta de Souza, 020 7306 8179, ldesouza@channel4.co.uk (ldesouza@channel4.co.uk)

Inductees are chosen by a highly select group of entertainment industry professionals. Since its launch in 2004, the UK Music Hall of Fame has inducted 20 ofthe greatest names in music history including The Beatles, The RollingStones, Madonna, Bob Dylan, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, U2, BobMarley, Elvis Presley and The Kinks.

Artists are selected for induction by the UK Music Hall of Fame Steering Group -- a panel comprising over 60 respected artists, music journalists, broadcasters and music industry executives.

Channel 4 International is a fully integrated rights exploitation service tailored to meet the requirements of the independent production community. It develops, finances and represents programming transmitted by Channel 4 and other broadcasters including programming from the BBC, ITVand Five. C4I provides in-house programme development, co-production,deficit finance, rights clearance and business affairs service, DVD distribution, book, magazine and music publishing. Initial is part of global independent content creator Endemol.


Its credits include Fashion Rocks (Channel 4);
Orange Playlist (ITV1; VH1;TMF);
Band Aid 20;
The Orange British Academy Film Awards (BBC ONE);
JohnLennon's Juke Box (The South Bank Show, ITV1);
Harry Potter at The Castle(ITV1);
Comic Relief Does Fame Academy (BBC ONE; BBC THREE);
OrangePlaylist (ITV1);
The Real Mary Poppins: A South Bank Show Special (ITV1)

and the music led drama series for Channel 4 - Totally Frank.

http://www.VH1.com (http://www.vh1.com/).

Loneliest number
December 22, 2006

For every hit there are misses.
Andrew Murfett sifts the stacks.

THE humble single has tried on a few jackets over the years - vinyl, compact cassette, CD and download - and it still plays a pivotal role in the cutthroat game of music marketing. There is no better way to launch an artist or album, lure new fans or connect with old followers.

Which singles were worth a listen in 2006? Here's a round-up.

The year's best single, Crazy, by Gnarls Barkley, came out of nowhere as the sole, unarguable claimant to instant classic status. It was familiar, but like nothing else on radio.

Augie March produced the Australian single of the year, One Crowded Hour. The Midnight Juggernauts released the country's funkiest single: Shadows.

Natalie Maines' remarkable performance on the Dixie Chicks' Not Ready to Make Nice elevated it to one of the year's finest.

In the typically bizarre world of pop '06, the Mickey Mouse Club alumni - with the exception of Britney - had a strong year. Justin Timberlake backed up SexyBack with My Love, while Christina Aguilera's bold but patchy double album included one knockout: Ain't No Other Man.

Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson warred in the tabloids and on the charts, both releasing bland singles, and Paris Hilton made her debut with a Blondie-channelling Stars Are Blind. Unlike her, it rapidly faded from sight. Lovelight was the only faintly listenable song on superstar Robbie Williams' super-dud album.

Towering Jamaican Rihanna annexed the hook from Soft Cell's Tainted Love and emerged with one of the biggest number ones of the year, SOS. Subsequent singles Unfaithful and We Ride grated.

Colombian bombshell Shakira joined Wyclef Jean for smash hit Hips Don't Lie. Sandi Thom's I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker was rendered maddening by overplay.

Meanwhile, in hip-hop, Kick Push, Lupe Fiasco's ode to skateboarding and greater things, shone. Credit for the reinvention of Nelly Furtado as a sultry ghetto mama - and Justin Timberlake's evolution as a credible artist - can go to producer Timbaland.

The Neptunes were hardly inactive, though. Ludacris' Moneymaker and Gwen Stefani's Wind It Up are two of the year's best. Just don't mention Pharrell Williams' dud solo album. Gang-banger the Game referred to "Crips and Bloods" in the spectacular Let's Ride, while Nas and Kelis returned with smoking singles: Hip Hop's Dead and Bossy, respectively.

The usually reliable Diddy made a vanilla comeback: Come To Me, and it was an annus horribilis for Outkast too. The long-delayed Idlewild album flopped. First single Mighty O was dire but Idlewild Blue and Morris Brown were underappreciated.

Beyonce released the so-so Deja-Vu and one of the year's best r'n'b jams, Irreplaceable.

The most brilliant - and filthy - hip-hop song was Bump! by an inconspicuous Philadelphia troupe called Spank Rock.

Rock-wise, Primal Scream put out one of the best tracks (and videos) of their career: the openly derivative but positively exuberant Country Girl. Just as good were Razorlight's In the Morning and America.

Pearl Jam felt vital again with World Wide Suicide.

One of the better rock songs that commercial radio played ad nauseum came from Arkansas goths Evanescence: Call Me When You're Sober, released after vocalist Amy Lee's former boyfriend Shaun Morgan entered rehab for "unspecified problems".

The Red Hot Chili Peppers' comeback Dani California was a corker. Tool's two seven-minute singles Vicarious and The Pot went to number one.

The Killers reappeared with two superb singles: When You Were Young and Bones. Nickelback continued releasing awful singles and selling millions.


Source (http://www.theage.com.au/news/music/loneliest-number/2006/12/21/1166290654629.html?from=rss)

Daily Record NEWS Glasgow
29 December 2006

THE RAZZ: CLUBBNG CLASS OF '06

Clubbing Hogmanay06 map Here is your guide to what's happening near you
By Stuart Barrie

MAKING a list of my best tunes, albums and mixes from the past 12 months wasn't easy. There's been so much fantastic music I could easily have done a top 50.It was the year minimal was the biggest noise, trance DJs ruled the world again and everyone swapped their funky house records for a darker, electric sound. So here's my list of all the tunes that mattered in 2006.

TUNES

1 Fedde Le Grand - Put Your Hands Your Hands Up For Detroit. Easily the most underground dance tune to cross over in years.

2 Union of Knives-Evil Has Never Stunning piece of menacing electro-rock from the superb Glasgow three piece.

3 Pete Heller -Simpler Not much to this, but boy, was it an effective dance record.

4 Hot Chip - Over and Over The highlight of their explosive live show and even a favourite at NME.


5 Chris Lake - Changes The Scots producer burst on the scene in spring and DJs are still playing it.


6 Depeche Mode -Just Can't Get Enough (Dirty South mix)


One of my all-time favourite bands get toughened up with electrifying results.


7 The Egg feat David Guetta-Walking Away A huge crowd pleaser.


8 Robbie Williams Lovelight (Soulwax Mix) The coolest Robbie's been in ages courtesy of a mind-blowing remix by the coolest people to ever have come out of Belgium.


9 Mason - Exceeder An Ibiza anthem that won't go away. There's a new vocal version but the original is best by miles.


10 MANDY vs Booka Shade - Body Language One of the tunes that defined the minimal sound and is now a real crowd pleaser

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5G63WCuLO0

THE CHART OF TRUTH
These are the best pop
songs of 2006.

This chart is true because
it doesn't let sales,
airplay or 'text voting'
get in the way of things.

It's just good songs.




1 Nelly Furtado - 'Maneater'
2 Jamelia - 'Beware Of The Dog'
3 Shiny Toy Guns - 'Rainy Monday'
4 Girls Aloud - 'Somethin' Kinda Ooh'
5 Sugababes - 'Red Dress'
6 Snow Patrol feat. Martha Wainwright - 'Set The Fire To The Third Bar'
7 Dragonette - 'True Believer'
8 Robyn - 'With Every Heartbeat'
9 Annie - 'Songs Remind Me Of You'
10 Beyonce - 'Irreplaceable'
11 SuperJupiter - 'You Know'
12 Omarion - 'Ice Box'
13 Justin Timberlake - 'My Love'
14 All American Rejects - 'Move Along'
15 All Saints - 'Rock Steady'
16 The Gossip - 'Standing In The Way Of Control (Tronic Youth mix)'
17 Robbie Williams - 'She's Madonna'
18 Shiny Toy Guns - 'You Are The One'
19 Scissor Sisters - 'I Don't Feel Like Dancing'
20 Timbaland - 'Give It To Me'
21 Hadouken! - 'That Boy That Girl'
22 Jamelia - 'Something About You'
23 Lil Chris - 'Gettin' Enough'
24 Robbie Williams - 'The 80s'
25 Amy Winehouse - 'You Know I'm No Good'
26 Justin Timberlake - 'SexyBack'
27 Shiny Toy Guns - 'Don't Cry Out'
28 Meat Loaf - 'Blind As A Bat'
29 The Feeling - 'Strange'
30 Original Cast - 'Let In The Sunlight'
31 Paris Hilton - 'Nothing In This Worls'
32 Michael Jackson - 'Technicolour'
33 Rihanna - 'SOS'
34 Sugababes - 'Easy'
35 Pet Shop Boys - 'Integral'
36 All Saints - 'On And On'
37 Robbie Williams - 'The 90s'
38 Original Cast - 'Life'
39 Girls Aloud - 'Singapore'
40 Frank - 'Never Left A Girl'
41 Dragonette - 'I Get Around'
42 Sophie Ellis Bextor - 'Dear Jimmy'
43 Patrick Wolf - 'Accident & Emergency'
44 All Saints - 'In It To Win It'
45 Girls Aloud - 'The Crazy Life'
46 Matt Willis - 'Hey Kid'
47 Sharam - 'PATT (Party All The Time)'
48 Shiny Toy Guns - 'We Are Pilots'
49 Girls Aloud - 'I Think We're Alone Now'
50 Hadouken! - 'Dance Lesson'
51 The Killers - 'When You Were Young'
52 Alesha Dixon - 'Knockdown'
53 CSS - 'Let's Make Love And Etc Etc'
54 Amy Winehouse - 'Love Is A Losing Game'
55 P Diddy feat. Christina - 'Tell Me'
56 Paris Hilton - 'Stars Are Blind'
57 Robbie Williams - 'Kiss Me'
58 Betty Curse - 'Girl With Yellow Hair'
59 Keane - 'Try Again'
60 Dragonette - 'Competition'
61 Lil Chris - 'Checking It Out'
62 Pet Shop Boys - 'Party Song'
63 Things We Made - 'Cold Light'
64 Maria Lawson - 'Sleepwalking'
65 Stefy - 'Chelsea'
66 Alesha Dixon - 'Lipstick'
67 Shiny Toy Guns - 'Le Disko'
68 Madonna - 'Get Together'
69 Lady Sovereign - 'Love Me Or Hate Me'
70 Hot Chip - 'Over & Over'
71 Amy Winehouse - 'Rehab'
72 Loleatta Holloway - 'Love Sensation 2006'
73 Muse - 'Supermassive Black Hole'
74 All American Rejects - 'Dirty Little Secret'
75 Pet Shop Boys - 'I'm With Stupid (PSB Maximix)'
76 Bodies Without Organs - 'Chariots Of Fire'
77 Pleasure - 'Out Of Love'
78 Rogue Traders - 'Voodoo Child'
79 Stefy - 'Orange County'
80 Bertine Zetlitz - '500'
81 Supermode - 'Tell Me Why'
82 Mutya Buena - 'Darkside'
83 Molly McQueen - 'No Sleep Tonight'
84 Robbie Williams - 'Lovelight'
85 Pet Shop Boys - 'Bright Young Things'
86 Matt Willis - 'Up All Night'
87 Ferry Corsten - 'Watch Out'
88 Fedde Le Grand - 'Put Your Hands Up For Detroit'
89 Stefy - 'Hey School Boy'
90 Matt Willis - 'Luxory'
91 Robbie Williams - 'Buslem Normals'
92 Girls Aloud - 'Crazy Fool'
93 The Automatic - 'Monster'
94 Goose - 'Black Gloves'
95 Project New City - 'On Arrival In Narita'
96 Matt Willis - 'Sound Of America'
97 Robbie Williams - 'Keep On'
98 Pet Shop Boys - 'Numb'
99 Neighbourhood - 'Kid Comes Out To Play'
100 Pet Shop Boys - 'Fugitive (Richard X mix)'
101 Veto Silver - 'Stay Young, Stay Beautiful'
102 All Saints - 'Fundamental'
103 Belle - 'Surfacing'
104 Meat Loaf - 'It's All Coming Back To Me Now'
105 Frank - 'I'm Not Shy'
106 Robyn - 'Konichiwa *****es'
107 David Guetta vs The Egg - 'Love Don't Let Me Go'
108 Robbie Williams - 'Rudebox'
109 Jose Gonzales - 'Heartbeats'
110 Mika - 'Relax'
111 Alesha Dixon - 'Ting-A-Ling'
112 All American Rejects - 'It Ends Tonight'
113 Christina Aguilera - 'Ain't No Other Man'
114 Nelly Furtado - 'Say It Right'
115 The Attic - 'A Life To Live'
116 Razorlight - 'In The Morning'
117 Christina Millian - 'Say I'
118 All American Rejects - 'It Ends Tonight'
119 Bodies Without Organs - 'Temple Of Love'
120 Magnet & Steele - 'Angels Sing'
121 Akala - 'Shakespeare'
122 Rihanna - 'Unfaithful'
123 Cherish - 'Do It Do It'
124 Siobhan Donaghy - 'Don't Give It Up'
125 McFly - 'Please, Please'
126 Wigwam - 'Wigwam'
127 Gnarls Barkley - 'Smiley Faces'
128 Lily Allen - 'LDN'
129 Keane - 'Nothing In My Way'
130 Annie - 'Crush (Richard X mix)'
131 Betty Curse - 'God This Hurts'
132 Robyn - 'Cobrastyle'
133 Bodies Without Organs - 'Obsession'
134 Matt Willis - 'Get Out The Car'
135 Will Young - 'Who Am I'
136 Beyonce - 'Deja Vu'
137 Lorraine - 'I Feel It (Cicada remix)'
138 Beyond - 'I Just Don't Have The Heart'
139 The Similou - 'All This Love'
140 Matt Willis - 'Ex-Girlfriend'
141 Freddie Mercury - 'Love Kills (Sunshine People mix)'
142 Nelly Furtado - 'All Good Things'
143 Lorraine - 'Transatlantic'
144 John Parr VS Tommyknockers - 'New Horizon'
145 Dannii Minogue - 'So Under Pressure'
146 Hot Chip - 'Colours'
147 Alesha Dixon - 'Superficial'
148 Mutya Buena - '2 The Limit'
149 Primal Scream - 'Country Girl'
150 The Feeling - 'Fill My Little World'
151 Bodies Without Organs - 'We Could Be Heroes'
152 Bimbo Jones - 'Harlem One Stop'
153 Infernal - 'Paris To Berlin'
154 Dannii Minogue - 'Love Fight'
155 Keane - 'Crystal Ball'
156 Pink - 'You And Your Hand'
157 Lorraine - 'Saved'
158 Lily Allen - 'Nan You're A Window Shopper'
159 LMC feat Rachel McFarlane - 'You Get What You Give'
160 The Modern - 'Sometimes'
161 Lorraine - 'Tell Me Where You Wanna Go'
162 Embrace - 'Nature's Law'
163 Pet Shop Boys - 'The Sodom & Gomorrah Show'
164 Goldfrapp - 'Ride A White Horse (Serge Santiago re-edit)'
165 Daz Sampson - 'Teenage Life'
166 Sugababes - 'Follow Me Home (Soul Seekerz mix)'
167 Upper Street - 'The One'
168 Nylon - 'Losing A Friend'
169 Gnarls Barkley - 'Crazy'
170 Shayne Ward - 'No Promises'
171 Nelly Furtado - 'Promiscuous Girl'
172 Belle - 'What The Hell'
173 The Delays - 'Valentine'
174 Gym Class Heroes - 'Clothes Off!'
175 Pet Shop Boys - 'I Made My Excuses And Left'
176 Mousse T vs Dandy Warhols - 'Horny As A Dandy'
177 Lorraine - 'Heaven'
178 Ashlee Simpson - 'Boyfriend (Frantic Mix)'
179 Morrissey - 'You Have Killed Me'
180 Wigwam - 'Rock Me Non Stop'
181 Alexis Strum - 'It Could Be You'
182 Sugababes - 'I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor'
183 Keane - 'Is It Any Wonder'
184 McFly - 'Don't Stop Me Now'
185 Coldplay - 'Talk (Thin White Duke mix)'
186 Belle - 'Wish'
187 Marie Serneholt - 'That's The Way My Heart Goes'
188 Plan B - 'Mama'
189 Pet Shop Boys - 'I'm With Stupid'
190 Lorraine - 'I Feel It'
191 Goldfrapp - 'Ride A White Horse'
192 Wigwam - 'Rock-a-doodle-boo'
193 Madonna - 'Sorry (Pet Shop boys remix)'
194 The Modern - 'Seven Oceans'
195 Lil Chris - 'Get Delirious'
196 Scissor Sisters - 'I Can't Decide'
197 Meck - 'Thunder In My Heart'
198 Take That - 'Today I've Lost You'
199 Girls Aloud - 'Whole Lotta History'
200 Protocol - 'Where's The Pleasure'
201 Pet Shop Boys - 'Minimal'
202 Georgina B Shaw - 'Dirty Rotten Boy'
203 Madonna - 'Sorry'
204 Chris Brown - 'Yo (Excuse Me Miss)'
205 Beyonce - 'Check On It'
206 Will Young - 'All Time Love'
207 Alexis Strum - 'Alright'
208 Chicane feat Tom Jones - 'Stoned In Love'
209 Freelance Hellraiser - 'You Can Cry All You Want'
210 Texas - 'Get Down Tonight'
211 Hoboken - 'Beauty Queen'
212 tATu - 'Friend Or Foe'
213 The Defence - 'Frank Sinatra'
214 The Streets - 'When You Wasn't Famous'
215 Veto Silver - 'When You're With That Girl'
216 Love Bites - 'Fit Like Me'
217 Hot Chip - 'Boy From School'
218 Shelley Poole - 'Totally Underwater'
219 Hi-Tack - 'Say Say Say'
220 Vittorio Grigolo - 'Se To Non Sei Lei'
221 The Vacancy - 'Handheld'
222 Jagged Edge - 'So Amazing'
223 El Presidente - 'Turn This Thing Around'
224 Pink - 'Stupid Girls'
225 The Modern - 'Industry'
226 Infernal - 'Self Control'
227 Freemasons - 'Watchin''
228 Vittorio Grigolo - 'Bedshaped'
229 Mark Owen - 'Hail Mary'
230 Chico - 'It's Chico Time'
231 William Orbit feat Sugababes - 'Spiral'
232 Bananarama - 'Lovebite'
233 Son Of Dork - 'Eddie's Song'
234 Juelz Santana - 'There It Go (The Whistle Song)'
235 The Vacancy - 'Bad Luck Boomerang'
236 Mylo - 'Muscle Cars'
237 Pussycat Dolls - 'Beep'
238 Richard Hawley - 'Just Like The Rain'
239 Shakira - 'Don't Bother'
240 US5 - 'Maria'
241 Sparks - 'Dick Around'
242 Alex Parks - 'Honesty'
243 Gwen Stefani - 'Wind It Up'
244 Shayne Ward - 'Stand By Me'
245 Simon Webbe - 'After All This Time'
246 Jesse McCartney - 'Beautiful Soul'
247 Lee Ryan - 'When I Think Of You'
248 Sunblock - 'I'll Be Ready'
249 Stacie Orrico - 'I'm Not Missing You'
250 Shapeshifters - 'Sensitivity'
251 Lorraine - 'When I Return To The World'
252 The Sounds - 'Tony The Beat'
253 Emma Bunton - 'Life In Mono'
254 Emma Bunton - 'Downtown'
255 The Format - 'The First Single'
256 The Sounds - 'Queen Of Apology'



Source =POPJUSTICE
http://www.popjustice.com/index.php?option=com_musichart&Itemid=48

Los Angeles Times

January 7, 2007
Home Edition

E-MAIL FROM LONDON;
Riding the wake of the Web;

Lily Allen will lead a new wave of British artists to the forbidding U.S. shores in coming months. But the reach of the Internet makes invasion a little easier.


OVER the past year, doom's trumpet has blown a few blasts in the general direction of the music industry. But in the U.K., music itself is feeling good and ready to show America a very good time indeed.

Of course, if you survey the U.S. album charts for 2006, consolation for Brits remains modest: a few unit-shifting classics such as the Beatles and Rod Stewart plus the handful of newcomers who've sold anywhere from the mid-700,000s (Corinne Bailey Rae, Snow Patrol) to more than 2 million (James Blunt). And Robbie Williams, our biggest domestic star of the Noughties, not even releasing his latest album, "Rudebox," in America ... let's not even think about it.

But look at the culture rather than the stats, and the U.K. is suddenly riding a wave. I'm calling it The Movement That Has No Name Because It's Not a Movement It Just Is. Which may not catch on.

However, Martin Talbot, editor of U.K. Billboard equivalent Music Week, offers some solid explanation for our optimism: "A greater wealth of new talent is coming through than for many years: Nine No. 1 debut albums in our chart and most of them by British artists. I don't think Beatlemania will happen again, but a lot of the new acts individually do have a shot at the mainstream in America in 2007."

Certainly, it's a key year for Lily Allen. She's the sassy standard-bearer for a new British songwriting generation who are continuing a witty, street-life tradition that goes back to the Kinks, Ian Dury, Squeeze, Morrissey, Pulp and on through their immediate precursor, Cockney rapper the Streets.

Read the full article here (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/cl-ca-britain7jan07,1,5060408.story?coll=la-entnews-music&ctrack=1&cset=true)

I'm calling it The Movement That Has No Name Because It's Not a Movement It Just Is. Which may not catch on.

:pmsl:

And Robbie Williams, our biggest domestic star of the Noughties, not even releasing his latest album, "Rudebox," in America ... let's not even think about it

But it is in the stores. I have seen it. :D

Ooh, not an inaccurate piece of reporting? Well, I never!

OK commuter


Deborah Finch, 28

Monday January 8, 2007
The Guardian


I enjoy these old Take That songs because they remind me of good times and I like to feel happy in the mornings. I listen to these songs on the way to work, mainly - they help me get through a really horrible commute from north London to High Street Kensington.
I prefer Rudebox over other Robbie Williams songs because it's quite lively. All the stuff I listen to on my commute makes me smile about something and think that the day is going to get better.

What I Go to School For has quite amusing lyrics, if you listen to them. My colleagues say I'm too old to listen to things like this and I should get a bit more with it. But it keeps me happy, so why shouldn't I?

I like this G4 track - listening to Jerusalem makes me feel very English. It is quite booming for the morning, but I need something like that to start the day. I can't be doing with quiet music then.

1 Take That - Everything Changes

2 Take That - Could it be Magic

3 Robbie Williams - Rudebox

4 Busted - What I Go to School For

5 G4 - Jerusalem

Share your commuting soundtrack with us. Email office.hours@ guardian.co.uk

http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/robbie-williams/greatest-hits.htm

:blaf:

A nice read but obviously not proof read by anyone, sad really just a statement of the press these day?

shame he didn't write with Guy chadwick as he is an amazingly talanted songwriter and ex lead singer with a mega amazing band called the house of love. I have all their albums and went to see them a number of times live and they would have made a very good team actually... funnily enough House of love also had a song called Feel!!!

check out no 82
http://www.hot100brasil.com/chtsinglesb.html

Robin Williams :pmsl::pmsl::pmsl:

:pmsl: yeah Foxy i did notice that when i was looking on that other thread

WIRELESS WINNERS

ANTONY BRUNO

Source: Billboard March 31, 2007

If you're making music these days, odds are you're doing something with mobile. Whether it's ringtones or videos, or in some cases even games, creating mobile content is becoming as commonplace for artists as creating a music video. But while everyone is on the mobile bandwagon, Billboard set out to learn who's doing the driving. A handful of enterprising artists are raising the mobile bar to new levels, applying their creative energies to developing either new mobile products or using existing products in new ways. These are the artists who are taking a personal and hands-on approach to setting their mobile agenda, who see mobile as not just an accessory, but as a vehicle of creative expression, promotion and revenue. What follows is Billboard's first Top 10 Wireless Artists list, identifying those engaging in the most innovative mobile practices today and defining the mobile opportunities of tomorrow.

1 Justin Timberlake (Sony) The Auteur

While he may not have the same volume or variety of mobile products as others on this list, Timberlake by far has taken the most personal control over the development of a new mobile product that he conceived, designed and developed. In doing so, he is pushing the boundaries of how artists, their managers and the wireless industry can directly work together for mutual benefit.

JT-TV, Timberlake's custom TV service on Verizon Wireless, consists of four channels dedicated to fashion, music, movies and travel, giving fans a 24/7 look into Timberlake's activities.

Neither pricing nor traffic figures will be available until after the service launches this month. But if Timberlake's fans flock to the service the way his management hopes they will, such artist-branded mobile entertainment products could provide superstar artists a new level of promotional and financial independence from their traditional label relationship.

"If you're one of those artists who have already established a fan base through the music business, and your label deals are up . . . this is the kind of deal you should make for the future," Timberlake's manager Johnny Wright says. "Content is key, and in a lot of these label deals, the artists don't own their content. So if you're one of those established artists that, like Justin, are self-contained, you should make your own album and deliver it to a mobile company like Verizon. Maybe you're not in a thousand stores across the country, but it's a platform you can control and you can own 100% of the revenues coming back to you. No one can dictate how or what you have to do."2 Snoop Dogg (Universal Music Group) The Groundbreaker

The Doggfather almost single-handedly created the voicetone market with the "What's crack-a-lackin'?" ringback tone in 2004, which remains a best-selling item today. Universal Music Group claims Snoop has sold more than 100,000 voicetones. According to direct-to-consumer voicetone vendors Thumbplay and Zingy, Snoop remains the most downloaded artist in their catalog.

He was one of the first artists to appear in a mobile videogame with "Snoop Dogg Boxing" in 2003 (which has a sequel on the way), and was one of the first to receive an RIAA-certified platinum mastertone for "Drop It Like It's Hot," at more than 3.1 million sales in the United States alone in 2006.

In February, he became the first artist to initiate a text-message fan club through 9Squared's new "In Crowd" service, through which Snoop will send personalized text message updates to fans. He's filmed several exclusive performances for Amp'd Mobile and even distributes video of his youth football league through the operator's network.

"He's always trying to figure out a mobile component to everything he's doing under the Snoop umbrella," says Chris Atlas, Amp'd director of entertainment marketing. "He is very aware of the mobile generation and trying to advance his art through mobile carriers."

3 T.I. (Warner Music Group) The jack of all trades

In terms of the breadth of mobile content, few hold a candle to ATLien T.I. In all, he has more than 200 different mobile titles, including mastertones (54), ringbacks (34) and voicetones (86); his own mobile videogame ("T.I. Racing," which has received a makeover for a pending relaunch); various types of made-for-mobile video footage; and audio fan club messages.

In preparation for his new album release -- scheduled for July -- he is launching a suite of next-generation mobile services. With partner Sonic Branding, he's launching a mobile game called "FanJam: T.I. Edition," a customized version of a "Tetris"-like game that plays songs and displays images of the artist as the puzzle is put together. Also with Sonic Branding, T.I. is releasing the ToneMaker DJ application to let fans remix his songs into custom ringtones.

In the coming weeks, the rapper will issue a series of mobile trading cards from partner Hook Mobile. For $3 per week, users will get three random cards weekly for 10 weeks, which in certain combinations will be redeemable for T-shirts, concert tickets and more. Players of McDonald's version of Monopoly will grasp the concept quickly.

Finally, in July T.I will launch a new mobile subscription fan club with provider Motricity called Grand Hustle Club, through which he will issue personalized text message updates and alerts for new singles.

T.I. undertakes these mobile efforts at all times, not just around the promotional period for a new record.

"He never stops thinking about mobile," says Livia Tortella, Atlantic GM and executive VP of marketing and creative media.

4 Fall Out Boy (Universal Music Group) The road warrior

The band prefers to send tour announcements, ticket alerts and other band news to its fans' mobile phones first, rather than as a complement to online posts. As such, it is aggressive in gathering fans' mobile contact info. During the band's upcoming tour, scheduled to begin April 18, it will encourage fans to take photos of their experiences at the show and upload them to FOB's Web site and MySpace page. The promotion is called "Thnks Fr Th Mmrs" (or "thanks for the memories" in text-message speak) -- also the title of the second single off its new album. Additionally, FOB conducts in-concert text-to-win contests where fans can win better seats and even go backstage after the show.

In advance of the tour, FOB is also building its mobile contact list through a mobile trading card promotion. Fans can download one of 10 mobile wallpapers, designed like Tarot cards. Some cards appear less frequently than others, so fans have to keep texting into the fan club to get all 10, which can then be redeemed for prizes.

"With both promotions, the big win is collecting mobile data from fans that we can then use to correspond back with them," says Karen Wiessen, VP of media and artist relations at Island Def Jam.

5 Beyoncé (Sony) The Gamestress

When you think of Beyoncé fans, videogame geeks aren't the first group that comes to mind. Yet the former Destiny's Child star is working with Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) to create a genre-defining mobile videogame aimed at engaging her fans via mobile phones. According to mobile usage tracking firm Telephia, women purchase 65% of all mobile games. Taking that as her cue, Beyoncé's game, expected to be released this summer, will mix her interests in fashion and makeup.

The as-yet-untitled game will add features on a monthly basis, requiring a monthly subscription fee (price TBD), and include an online community element.

According to Larry Shapiro, WDIG executive VP of business development and operations, a good artist-branded mobile game must avoid certain pratfalls. "Two things are equally negative," he says. "One is a brand slap where they want the money and don't care about the service, which then doesn't fit the artist. Or they'll limit you too much, and you wind up with an inferior service."

However Shapiro has nothing but high praise for Beyoncé and her father/manager Mathew Knowles.

"They've been very hands-on and incredibly helpful," he says.

6 Ashley Tisdale (Warner Music Group) The Moblogger

Artists looking to engage their fans on a daily basis online have great tools at their disposal in MySpace and YouTube. Mobile phones with video cameras and texting capabilities allow those interested to update these sites more regularly -- and instantly. Perhaps no other artist has taken advantage of this new opportunity as much as "High School Musical" star Tisdale. Using a one-click posting service from ShoZu and a video-enabled mobile phone, Tisdale has been providing fans with a virtual day-by-day, hour-by-hour account of her life. While several other artists use the ShoZu service to update their sites around two to five times per week, none have been as prolific as Tisdale, who averages about three to five posts per day.

Fans have been eating it up. Her YouTube video blog has skyrocketed to 200,000 daily views, and ShoZu executives say she has single-handedly proved their business model.

"She immediately understood the purpose of the videoclips," ShoZu marketing director Jen Grenz says. "She didn't do anything canned or prepared. She calls it her YouTube phone. She's taken a tool for promotion and turned it into a career-building move."

7 Linkin Park (Warner Music Group) The Documentarian

The group has created a 15-episode series chronicling the making of the upcoming "Minutes to Midnight" album (out May 15), as well as what the band and its side projects have been up to, which will air on MobiTV soon.

"They created the whole vision," Warner Bros. Records senior director of new media Jennifer Bird says. "They shot it, cut it and edited it all themselves. Normally, we have to do that, but they've been working on this since last summer."

Additionally, Linkin Park is launching a unique twist on the text-message fan club by taking fan questions and comments and responding to them directly. Finally, LP and mobile video blogger firm ShoZu are working on some still-to-be defined upgrades to the ShoZu service that should take mobile blogging into new areas, such as the ability to post to multiple blogs in a single post and one-to-one fan interaction via video.

8 Robbie Williams (EMI) The Ambassador

Known as an international superstar almost everywhere in the world save the United States, Williams elevated the potential of mobile music in a landmark deal with Europe's T-Mobile in conjunction with his 2006 Close Encounters tour. Besides just sponsoring the tour, T-Mobile also made available exclusive Williams tracks, video, live streaming footage of various concert dates and a Williams-branded Sony Ericsson Walkman phone preloaded with music and video recorded at the tour's kickoff in Durban, South Africa. As a result, the tour made the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest number of tickets sold in a single day.

While that relationship has ended, Williams continues his mobile outreach. Most recently he recorded two exclusive songs with Indian superstar Asha Bhosle to expand the mobile music market in India. One song, a remix of "Better Man," will be preloaded on select Sony Walkman phones sold in India before becoming available on CD or any other format. The other, "Rock DJ," will be an exclusive download via wireless operator Hutch.

9 Maná (Warner Music Group) The Latin Pioneer

Studies show that the Hispanic youth market is a voracious consumer of mobile entertainment products, but few Latin artists have stepped up to lead the way in serving that core demographic.

Taking a leadership role in this effort is the rock en Espanol group Maná. Last year, it became the first Latino act to offer live streaming of its concerts on mobile phones via Sprint's network (the company also sponsored the tour). The Los Angeles-based performance was available as an on-demand stream for three months afterward.

Additionally, Maná launched a text-message sweepstakes to award fans free trips to the band's shows, offered wireless seat-upgrade contests during concerts and set up an exclusive fan club on the Sprint network where it provides never-before-seen Spanish-language content like video interviews, streaming videos, full-song downloads and screensavers.

10 50 Cent (Universal Music Group) The Godfather

No list of mobile artists can be complete without 50 Cent, the man who ruled the mobile music format as it grew from fad to mainstream success.

He has sold more than 10.5 million master ringtone recordings. He has had 11 songs reach No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Ringtone chart, more than any other single artist (next closest is Ludacris with nine), and his "In Da Club" polyphonic ringtone was the first to break 1 million sales, more than a year before the RIAA began offering gold and platinum certifications for the medium.

Additionally, 50 Cent broke new ground in the areas of mobile games. The "Free Yayo" game, featuring the entire G-Unit crew, was the first mobile game developed from the ground up as a concept with the artist in mind. He followed up with a mobile game based on his movie "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," and has in development a motorcycle racing game expected in the second quarter through Zingy called "50 Cent's G-Unit Stuntin'."

Robbie breaks India, that would be interesting. Only one billion people there and yet he ignores the states. Yes I am feeling sorry for myself. :)

:hyper: Robbie go and live in Indian and wear their clothes and everything if theres over 1 billion people living there then GO!!!:pmsl:

Robbie breaks India, that would be interesting. Only one billion people there and yet he ignores the states. Yes I am feeling sorry for myself. :)


:hug: trouble is - he doesn't want to live in India :no3:

The Dap-Kings And Their Queen Are Back
2007-06-08

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/1madlady/untitled.jpg

Getting your groove on may not be so hard this fall, as Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings are set to release 100 Days, 100 Nights (Daptone), September 25. All danced out from a 267 shows, 21 tours, 14 countries and three-continent stint, Jones and the boys took a breather to head back to Brooklyn to record their next album. They even returned to sampling favorites like Jurassic 5 and Kayne West for the follow-up to the Naturally EP. And in case you were wondering if these overachievers have been busy when not working on new tracks, you can hear and see them as Amy Winehouse's backing band, as well as being featured in recordings from Rufus Wainwright, They Might Be Giants and Robbie Williams. All in a day's work, right?

Tracklist For 100 Days, 100 Nights:
01. 100 Days, 100 Nights
02. Nobody's Baby
03. Tell Me
04. Be Easy
05. When The Other Foot Drops, Uncle
06. Let Them Knock
07. Something's Changed
08. Humble Me
09. Keep On Looking
10. Answer Me

www.myspace.com/sharonjonesandthedapkings

HMV latest to offer "DRM-free" music downloads
Plus, HMV.co.uk will offer both CDs and MP3 from September
by Amy-Mae Elliott

1 July 2007 - HMV has announced it will be selling "DRM-free" digital downloads from September 2007. All online HMV downloads will be incorporated into the hmv.co.uk store, rather than the currently separate hmvdigital.co.uk.

These changes will provide UK consumers with a choice of physical CDs or digital albums from a single site, something not done by anyone else on such a large scale. HMV intends to include EMI's "DRM-free" catalogue within an initial offering of over one million DRM-free tracks. The range will also include non-DRM product supplied by independent music labels.

This should include EMI artists such as Coldplay, Lily Allen, Gorillaz and Robbie Williams, as well as existing content from other labels by HMV's digital partner, MusicNet. These tracks will add to the 3 million-plus tracks that HMV already has online. All tracks will be available at the high-quality, 328 bit rate, and prices will start at 79p, which is cheaper than Apple's DRM-free tracks which are charged at a premium of £1.29.

These downloads will be compatible with all MP3 players, including iPods.

HMV has said it hope that the total number of non-DRM tracks available as MP3 downloads will grow over the coming months, as it reaches agreements with additional labels.

Source (http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/8464/9488/HMV-Digital-DRM-Free-Music-Downloads.phtml)

Apple Sells A Lot Of iPhones, Universal Thinks It Can Go Alone, HMV Thinks It Can Do It Better
by Piers Fawkes

This weekend, some folk have guestimated that Apple have sold over half a million iPhones - which seems a rather a lot. And maybe the fastest selling gadget in history? The Apple Store blog ifoapplestore reports that 62 of its 164 U.S. retail stores (38%) will not have supplies of iPhones today on Monday.

Meanwhile, Universal seems quite discontent with Apple’s iTunes system and despite the fact that it might be the only thing making decent money for music companies (and a very recent 500,000 new subscribers ;) have decided to go it alone. The NY Times says the matter is still at negotiation but:

If Apple were to decide not to carry Universal’s recordings, the music company would likely sustain a serious blow: sales of digital music through iTunes and other sources accounted for more than 15 percent of Universal’s worldwide revenue in the first quarter, or more than $200 million.

And in Britain, we read that music retailer HMV still hasn’t died yet. In fact, they think they’re going to save their backsides by selling DRM free music - ta-dah! Aren’t Apple doing that also? Digital Lifestyles site reports:

Music mega retailed HMV has announced that it will start selling “DRM-free” digital downloads from September 2007.

Over one million “DRM-free” tracks will be available for download at launch, including EMI’s full catalogue with big names like Coldplay, Lily Allen, Gorillaz and Robbie Williams. They’ll also be existing content made available from other labels distributed by HMV’s digital partner, MusicNet, adding to the 3 million+ tracks already offered online by HMV.

Oh well, Universal will have somewhere to sell their music until they both close, we suppose.

Source (http://www.psfk.com/2007/07/apple-sells-a-lot-of-iphones-universal-thinks-it-can-go-alone-hmv-thinks-it-can-do-it-better.html)

Sharon Jones Lands Movie Roll, Band To Play The Apollo And Tour
August 2007

We are pleased to announce Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings will headline the world famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York on Oct 6, just four days after the Oct 2ND release of 100 Days, 100 Nights, the bands forthcoming album on Daptone Records. The band will then tour the US (dates at bottom). Tickets for the Apollo show go on sale today and are $25.00 each, available via the Box office or Ticketmaster. Doors at 8:00. Show at 9:00 p.m.

Additionally, Sharon Jones herself just completed filming the role of "Lila" in the upcoming film The Great Debaters. Denzel Washington both directed and stars in the film along with Forest Whitaker. Sharon plays a "Juke Joint" singer named "Lila" and has both a speaking part and is featured singing the Lucille Bogan classic "That's what my Baby Likes". She also recorded additional songs which will be included in the official soundtrack to the film. The movie is a Weinstein Co release and is due out on Christmas Day. Denzel Washington hand-picked Sharon from a quickly made DVDo of her live performances and applauded her on-screen talents.

100 Days, 100 Nights was recorded in the Dap-Kings self-built, self-operated, all analog recording studio in Bushwick, Brooklyn and bares the unmistakable Daptone Soul Sound - highly in demand among music fans and tastemakers alike. In the last year, producers such as Kanye West, Mark Ronson, Hank Shocklee, and Kenny Dope have been among those who came knocking at Daptone's door seeking the inimitable Dap-Kings sound to lend a tougher edge to their productions for such artists as Rhymefest, Lily Allen, Ghostface Killah, Amy Winehouse and Bob Dylan. The Dap-Kings lend a tougher edge to their own productions for such artists as Rhymefest, Lily Allen, Ghostface Killah and Amy Winehouse. Meanwhile, Sharon Jones herself has past the time between touring lending the her soulful voice to projects for Lou Reed, Rufus Wainwright, They Might Be Giants and others.

Though these projects have helped the band branch out to new fans, it is unquestionable that their sound has never been as brutally soulful or masterfully delivered as it is on their own 100 Days, 100 Nights. The raw fire and soul which Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings consistently pour into their music will make this record and this band an irreplaceable part of many people's lives.

· 267 Shows, 21 Tours, 14 countries on 3 Continents since the 2005 release of Naturally.
· Festival appearances including Monterey Jazz, Umbria Jazz, Bumbershoot, Telluride Bluegrass, and Womad Festivals in the UK and the Canary Islands.
· Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings' music has been sampled by Jurasic 5, Gostface Killah, Kanye West and Rhymefest.
· Sold over 50,000 full length records and 20,000 vinyl 45's.
· Sold Out Sharon Jones' 50th Birthday Celebration at New York's Irving Plaza
· Appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
· National TV Campaign for "I Love NY" featured Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings performing their version of "This Land is your Land".
· Sharon Jones has been part of the cast touring with Lou Reed in Australia, Europe, and the US as part of the live production of "Berlin"
· The Dap-Kings recorded half of the music on Amy Winehouse's album Back to Black. Including the hit singles "Rehab" and "I'm No Good", and played as her backing band for her first ever US tour, including performances on David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
· After being featured on Verve Records' "Baby Loves Jazz" album, Sharon had her own Ella the Elephant children's book and CD published by Penguin Books.
· Mark Ronson worked closely with the Dap-Kings at Daptone Studios recording his new album "Versions" as well as other re mix projects including Lilly Allen's hit single "Smile".
· Rufus Wainwright and They Might Be Giants featured Sharon on their recent recordings.
· Robbie Williams hired the Dap-Kings horns to play on his album Rudebox.

Source (http://www.eqmag.com/story.asp?storycode=19146)

Thanks Mon - these guys have been busy....I will check this out sounds like my sort of music.....

I have their album "Naturally" and even though it came out in 2006, it sounds like 1965! I recommend it!

Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings To Release 100 Days, 100 Nights
by Tim Cashmere - August 23 2007


The phenomenal Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings are gearing up to release their third album, '100 Days 100 Nights'.
The Dap Kings have cumulated years of funk schooling into what is said to be their funkiest album yet.

The band, who have taken the undeniably cool swagger of 60s soul and funk and injected it into an era when R&B has come to mean over produced pop product, earning the band much respect worldwide.

They have been sampled by Jurassic 5, Ghostface Killah, Rhymefest and Kanye West and been featured on TV commercials around the world.

Jones herself was most recently noted for her stunning performance as part of Lou Reed's band when he toured 'Berlin' and she has also recorded with Rufus Wainwright and They Might Be Giants.

The Dap Kings are featured on Amy Winehouse's most recent critically acclaimed album 'Back To Black'. They have also recorded with Robbie Williams on his album 'Rudebox'. The album is due out the first week of October.

Source (http://undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=2688)

Milow - You Don't Know (Movie Trailer): "John Travolta, Robbie Williams, Sheryl Crow all sing You Don't Know by Belgian singer-songwriter Milow." Well-made trailer for local tv station Vijftv. Had a soothing effect on me.

You don't know - movie trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYcKaShmBiA)

Wow! Lotsa 'names' in this movie

Well, I didn't know either !! :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:

Very nice to see ! Cool:hyper: :hyper:

Very cool! Thanx for the link :)

Dub Re-Imagined: Musical Alchemy from Brooklyn's Ticklah
Posted: 2007-08-31

”Victor 'Ticklah' Axelrod is an analog reggae revivalist in a world falling to digital sin.”-- Carter Van Pelt, The Beat, August 2007

A battle wages in an underground Brooklyn studio. It's a war against mediocrity, an epic sound clash. The entire struggle is taking place inside the head of one man: Victor Axelrod a.k.a. Ticklah. The fruits of the brawl can be heard on Ticklah Vs. Axelrod, released September 18, 2007 on Easy Star Records, the same outfit that brought us Dub Side of the Moon and Radiodread. The album is roots reggae steeped in Ethiopian melodies, salsa, and ska, dripping with trippy dub production.

Even if you haven't heard his name, you've probably heard Axelrod's contributions to dozens of familiar projects. As a co-producer (and the keyboardist) of Dub Side of the Moon, he helped craft one of the best selling reggae albums of the decade. As a key member of the Afrobeat collective Antibalas, and as an original member of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Axelrod is known for nailing grooves and then dancing around them in jaw-dropping capacity. His session work with Mark Ronson has put him on tracks by Lily Allen, Robbie Williams, and Amy Winehouse (including the hit “Rehab”). And he's partnered on hit remixes with DJ Spinna, including Shaun Escofferey's “Days Like This” and Les Nubians' “Makeda.” When he's not collaborating with other musicians, Axelrod tackles his own musical demons; the results are some of the most original music released this year.

Some might call this a dub record, due to its heavy use of reverb, delay and effects; but that's not quite it. Call it Holistic Dub, since Ticklah approaches the music from every one of its individual components--rhythm, melody, harmonies, arrangement, sound--to craft the whole song. “While much has been said about King Tubby and Lee Perry, what is always overlooked is the source material they were working with to make dub music,” says Ticklah. “The musicianship of the rhythm sections, the engineering skills that captured the sounds in the first place, and the production values go unmentioned. The music on my record reflects my love, awe, and admiration for all these components of reggae music.”

A touchstone dub like “King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown” was played by a tight reggae band; led by a groundbreaking instrumentalist, writer and arranger (Augustus Pablo); has one of the genre's most distinctive voices (Jacob Miller); has a final mix by a sonic visionary (King Tubby); and was recorded at one of the greatest sounding studios in Jamaican history (Dynamic Studios). Ticklah tackles every one of these roles somewhere on this record and in his studio (and sometimes all at once).

This obsession with so many elements of music creation--not to mention playing several instruments on the majority of the album--means that it takes time for Ticklah to finish a song. (The title of “Nine Years” is a humorous exaggeration about the length of time it took to create the track.) “I'm trying to put one simple thing with another to build something great. Like an architect or a furniture maker. The individual pieces may not necessarily be something to behold but the way they fit together, there's hopefully logic to it all.”

“I often make myself very unhappy because I'm convinced that there are ways to make the music I'm working on better than it already is; hence the title of the album.” While Ticklah Vs. Axelrod springs from this musical inner conflict, it's really a bit more tongue and cheek than dire, especially since it also recalls classic dub album titles. As crazy as Ticklah can drive himself, he's still doing something he loves.

As expected from a musician with as many credits as Axelrod, he brings in a few friends to help realize his vision. He calls his collaborators on this record “esoteric talents,” because they are all players who exist outside of the cookie cutter. “Which is not to say there isn't plenty of talent within the cookie cutter, either. It's just that each of these guys has their own sound. Like Vic Rice's bass, which works across all of the styles he plays from reggae to his Brazilian excursions, but doesn't really sound like anyone else. Every one brings something like that to it.”

Victor Rice is a regular collaborator at Ticklah's basement studio. Like Ticklah, Rice has played with a multitude of different outfits, including the Easy Star All-Stars, the Stubborn All-Stars and the Victor Rice Octet. The two met in 1997 through the Stubborn Records/ Version City crew and hit it off musically right away.

Guest vocalists include reggae stars Mikey General and Rob Symeonn, Vinia Mojica (best known for her work with De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest), and Tamar-kali (of the Easy Star All-Stars and the documentary “Afro-Punk”). Symeonn and Ticklah go way back from when they worked together on “Anything For Jah,” which was the first single Easy Star Records ever released, and more recently on the underground hit “Chosen One,” the title track of Symeonn's latest album. The two collaborated further on Ticklah's 2001 release, Hi-Fidelity Dub Sessions: Roots Combination, which was Ticklah's first full-length foray into reggae.

For “Want Not,” Ticklah tapped his old friend, Tamar-kali. “And when I say she has one of my favorite voices,” he explains, “I don't mean '...that I know.' I mean in the world. I figured her whole tone and vibe would be complementary to the dark mood of the track, because generally what she sings is a very dread kind of thing.” Tamar-kali sang “Pain Of Loving You” on Ticklah's first album, Polydemic (1997), a song that Ticklah later reshaped and remixed into “Painful Dub” on Roots Combination.

Whether looking at his career as a whole, his latest record, or even within a single song, Ticklah jumps from style to style as fluidly as he leaps from one instrument to the next. The melody on “Answer Me” was inspired by a simple piano piece by the innovative 20th century Russian composer Vladimir Rebikov. Two songs--”Mi Sonsito” and “Si Hecho Palante”--tackle Eddie Palmieri classics in a ska and reggae setting respectively. As The Beat's Carter Van Pelt puts it, “nothing I've yet heard produced under the banner of reggaeton captures the potential union of salsa and reggae as well as these.” Both songs feature the vocals of Mayra Vega, who is known for her appearance on Antibalas' cover of “Che Che Cole.” It was Vega who encouraged Ticklah to do reggae versions of these songs she knew from childhood, after her mother had given Ticklah his first Palmieri record.

Now that Ticklah Vs. Axelrod is completed, he returns to his (actual) underground studio to find what other unfinished pieces can traumatize him. He's already at work on a remix of a Dap-Kings song for another upcoming project. After all, this particular battle may be over and in your hands, but the war still goes on.

Source (http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=14982)

The music Australia loved

Lists of top selling albums and most successful performers, prepared by David Dale.

Last updated August 2007.

The top selling albums of the past ten years

1 Come On Over (Shania Twain)
2 Jagged Little Pill (Alanis Morissette)
3 Innocent Eyes (Delta Goodrem)
4 Savage Garden (Savage Garden)
5 Falling Into You (Celine Dion)
6 Abba Gold (Abba)
7 Immaculate Collection (Madonna)
8 Recurring Dream (Crowded House)
9 Come Away With Me (Norah Jones)
10 Forgiven Not Forgotten (The Corrs)
11 Yourself or Someone Like You (Matchbox 20)
12 Forrest Gump (Soundtrack)
13 The Very Best of (The Eagles)
14 1 (The Beatles)
15 Affirmation (Savage Garden)
16 The Eminem Show (Eminem)
17 Live (Throwing Copper)
18 HIStory (Michael Jackson)
19 Don't Ask (Tina Arena)
20 The Sound of White (Missy Higgins)
21 Soul Deep (Jimmy Barnes)
22 Get Born (Jet)
23 Unplugged (Eric Clapton)
24 Let Go (Avril Lavigne)
25 Barricades and Brickwalls (Kasey Chambers)
26 Fever (Kylie Minogue)
27 Odyssey No 5 (Powderfinger)
28 Remasters (Led Zeppelin)
29 Symbols (Led Zeppelin)
30 The Best of 1980-1990 (U2)
31 The Ultimate Collection (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
32 No Angel (Dido)
33 Greatest Hits (Robbie Williams)
34 Back To Bedlam (James Blunt)
35 Just As I Am (Guy Sebastian)
36 Fallen (Evanescence)
37 That's What I'm Talking About (Shannon Noll)
38 Feeler (Pete Murray)
39 Life For Rent (Dido)
40 Michael Buble (Michael Buble)
41 Breakaway (Kelly Clarkson)
42 Songs About Jane (Maroon 5)
43 Mistaken Identity (Delta Goodrem)
44 American Idiot (Green Day)
45 It's Time (Michael Buble)
46 Love Angel Music Baby (Gwen Stefani)
47 Monkey Business (Black Eyed Peas)
48 So Fresh - Hits of summer 2003 (Various)
49 I'm Not Dead (Pink)

Based on charts since 1995 from the Australian Record Industry Association

Top sellers of 2006: Back To Bedlam (James Blunt); I'm Not Dead (Pink); Reach Out - The Motown Record (Human Nature); Wolfmother (Wolfmother); The Winner's Journey (Damien Leith).

The all-time more than 500,000 sellers, according to ARIA accreditations

1. Whispering Jack (John Farnham) 24 platinum*
2. Bat Out of Hell (Meatloaf) 22p
3. Come On Over (Shania Twain) 15p
4. Jagged Little Pill (Alanis Morissette) 14p
5. Innocent Eyes (Delta Goodrem) 14p
6. Greatest Hits Collection (Queen) 13p
7. Thriller (Michael Jackson) 12p
8. Rumours (Fleetwood Mac) 12p
9. Savage Garden (Savage Garden) 12p
10. Falling Into You (Celine Dion) 12p
11. Abba Gold (Abba) 11p
12. Immaculate Collection (Madonna) 11p
13. Dark Side of the Moon (Pink Floyd) 11p
14. Recurring Dream (Crowded House) 11p
15. Age of Reason (John Farnham) 11p
16. The Very Best of (The Eagles) 11p
17. War of the Worlds (Jeff Wayne) 10p
18. Don't Ask (Tina Arena) 10p
19. 1 (The Beatles) 9p
20. The Sound of White (Missy Higgins) 9p
21. Soul Deep (Jimmy Barnes) 9p
22. Chisel (Cold Chisel) 9p.
23. Come Away With Me (Norah Jones) 9p
24. Remasters (Led Zeppelin) 9p
25. Greatest Hits (Fleetwood Mac) 9p
26. Yourself or Someone Like You (Matchbox 20) 8p
27. Forgiven Not Forgotten (The Corrs) 8p
28. Get Born (Jet) 8p
29. Greatest Hits (Robbie Williams) 8p
30. Unplugged (Eric Clapton) 8p
31. Back to Bedlam (James Blunt) 8p
32. Best of 1980-1990 (U2) 8p
33. Californicaton (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) 8p
34. Symbols (Led Zeppelin) 8p
35. Odyssey Number Five (Powderfinger) 8p
36. The Eminem Show (Eminem) 8p

*A recording is awarded platinum status each time it sells 70,000 copies. But not all record companies have supplied ARIA with sales information on all their performers, so the list above is incomplete. It lacks obvious million sellers such as the early albums of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Seekers, and Neil Diamond.

The all-time most popular musicians with Australian record buyers
Prepared by David Dale for The Sydney Morning Herald, based on each performer's total sales of vinyl and CD albums, using estimates from the Australian Record Industry Association and music researcher David Kent's Australian Chart Book.

Performer Biggest Year Bestselling Album

1 Elton John 1973 Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
2 The Beatles 1968 Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
3 Billy Joel 1976 Piano Man
4 Paul McCartney 1973 Band on the Run
5 Michael Jackson 1982 Thriller
6 Abba 1975 The Best of Abba
7 John Farnham 1986 Whispering Jack
8 Jimmy Barnes 1985 For The Working Class Man
9 Neil Diamond 1972 Hot August Night
10 Madonna 1990 The Immaculate Collection
11 Fleetwood Mac 1977 Rumours
12 The Rolling Stones 1971 Goat's Head Soup
13 Rod Stewart 1975 Atlantic Crossing
14 Dire Straits 1978 Brothers in Arms
15 Led Zeppelin 1973 Led Zeppelin II
16 Pink Floyd 1973 Dark Side of the Moon
17 Eurythmics 1985 Be Yourself Tonight
18 The Carpenters 1973 Now and Then
19 Celine Dion 1996 Falling Into You
20 Delta Goodrem 2003 Innocent Eyes
21 Savage Garden 1997 Savage Garden
22 Kylie Minogue 2001 Fever
23 Cat Stevens 1971 Teaser and the Firecat
24 Joe Cocker 1971 Cocker Happy
25 Mariah Carey 1994 Music Box
26 U2 1988 Rattle and Hum
27 INXS 1990 The Swing
28 Creedence Clearwater Revival 1970 Cosmo's Factory
29 Cold Chisel 1984 Twentieth Century
30 Midnight Oil 1983 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
31 Deep Purple 1970 Deep Purple in Rock
32 Elvis Presley 2003 30 #1 Hits
33 The Seekers 1968 The Best of the Seekers
34 Crowded House 1986 Crowded House
35 Leo Sayer 1974 Just a Boy
36 Eagles 1976 Hotel California
37 Meat Loaf 1978 Bat Out of Hell
38 Split Enz 1980 True Colours
39 Australian Crawl 1981 Sirocco
40 Bette Midler 1980 Beaches
41 Lionel Richie 1983 Can't Slow Down
42 Eminem 2002 The Eminem Show
43 David Bowie 1973 Let's Dance
44 Police 1979 Synchronicity
45 Skyhooks 1975 Living in the 70s
46 Bob Dylan 1976 Desire
47 AC/DC 1976 Back in Black
48 The Bee Gees 1999 Saturday Night Fever
49 Queen 1976 Greatest Hits Collection
50 Van Morrison 1974 Astral Weeks

Source (http://blogs.smh.com.au/sit/archives/2007/08/the_music_weve.html?page=2#comments)

i knew us aussies had good taste in music.....

wow is great i see that

The only other CDs I buy besides Robbie is Shannon Noll, and I don't think I will buy his new one (sorry shannon)

barnsey and farnsey, still 2 of my faves

Although a relatively young producer, Chris Lake exploded to international acclaim with the success of the mega club hit "Changes." Setting up his own label, Rising Music, has led to a string of more club hits including "Fantasy" and "One Too Many," and even an offshoot label Rising Trax that's gaining buzz with the release of underground tracks from Micky Slim and Sebastian Leger. With remixes of pop icons like Robbie Williams and Dannii Minogue, Chris Lake has built a truly international following which is obvious from his rigorous touring schedule. With a mixed CD selling well in many markets, Chris is finishing his debut artist album for an anticipated release later this year

Source (http://dancemusic.about.com/b/a/256559.htm)

would love to hear some of his work, thanx for that info mon

Mind on Music

Thursday, September 27, 2007

For far too long our society has existed under the oppressive yoke of the guilty pleasure. We have relegated some of our favorite tunes to this scrap heap of a genre. We've hidden iPods under sweaty palms as Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" scrolls across the screen for fear that a nosy neighbor at Hillside might glance across her turkey-and-brie to judge our outdated musical tastes. We've laughed self-consciously at the mere mention of Celine Dion and Barry Manilow. We've turned "Milkshake" and "The Final Countdown" into zany ring tones in the false hope that our judgmental hipster friends will think we like these songs ironically rather than wholeheartedly.

But what makes us turn perfectly acceptable, even great, songs into guilty pleasures? I submit the following simple questions to the jury. Is the song performed by a former child star? Guilty. Was the song number one on the MTV Europe countdown but has remained completely unknown in the States? Guilty … and I'm talking to you, Robbie Williams. Disco? Guilty. Did it feature prominently in a Julia Roberts flick? Guilty as charged. And, horror of all horrors, is the singer an American Idol castoff? Guiltier than O.J.!

We all know the usual suspects (the Spice Girls, James Blunt, Madonna) and, unless one of you is an evil robot or Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, we all love at least a few of these "embarrassing" musicians. Wouldn't the world be just a little happier if we could all admit it?

Well I'll be the first. "Toxic" by Britney Spears is a cultural masterpiece to be placed alongside the likes of Casablanca, Hamlet, and "Rhapsody in Blue." From the extraterrestrial synth intro to the obviously computerized violin riff to the dolphin clicking that is ex-Mama Federline's voice to the "I can't seem to find my favorite show on this old-timey television dial" dance … Genius on so many levels.

Now that I've made my confession, isn't it about time you join the crusade? It's easy. Just drop the façade of ironic detachment and embrace your song without embarrassment. The next time you're rocking out to your Hanson playlist on the elliptical, don't hurriedly switch to the Shins as a friend approaches. Crank up the Clarkson. Blast the Black Eyed Peas. Viva la zig-a-zig-ahhh!

Source (http://media.www.bcheights.com/media/storage/paper144/news/2007/09/27/TheScene/Mind-On.Music-2995003.shtml)

SingStar Hands-on
By Will Freeman - 27/09/2007

You'll be able to share your embarrassing moments with everyoneOn the PlayStation 2, SingStar has done almost all it can, which is no small feat for a superpower of gaming that has dominated the closing chapter of Sony's last-gen console. In a relatively short period of time SingStar has reinvented the PlayStation 2 and sold countless units to consumers specifically interested in a karaoke machine. The vocal-stretching behemoth has courted the pink pound, redefined post-pub gaming, and flirted with a whole new kind of gamer without having to rely for a moment on mini-games and motion gestures.

Sony's USB microphones may have sent the odd core-gamer running for cover as a gaggle of drunken girls with wine in hand and voices cracked invade his room, but on the whole it has also been embraced by traditional players, who are delighted and a little surprised by the fact that their antisocial hobby and wire-clad gaming den is now the place to be come the early hours, filled with laughter, hedonism, music and dancing.

But with all this success comes a degree of necessary complacency. SingStar on the PlayStation 2 is so fine-tuned it needs nothing more than a new list of songs for each release. So where to take the PlayStation 3 version, on a console with ample room for the series to breath, that is intended to be online as standard?

The answer to that question is fairly obvious with even a little thought, but the implementation of the answer is what impresses. Taking online gaming, which is perhaps the realm of the most dedicated gamers who are most far removed from SingStar fans, and repackaging it for the casual audience takes just two simple elements. Namely iTunes and the hugely popular, man-hour sapping, social networking sites.

Sony isn't a genius for realising that even the most practised technophobe still knows how to use Facebook or MySpace, and a quick count of white headphones on the tube or train proves how readily the public have accepted the ease of use of iTunes, but in applying these phenomenon to SingStar, the electronics giant seems to have made a masterstroke.

The basic formula to the new SingStar is a familiar one; generally a multiplayer game, players battle or co-operate by warbling along to a selection of popular music, with a final score somewhere in the back of their minds. Well over thirty songs are provided on disk, and if there is an emphasis in the selection, it is on the darlings of the music press past and present.

The predominance of bands like The Killers, The Automatic and The Zutons will repel as many as it attracts, though it must be said tunes such as Mr Brightside make for great singing regardless of your taste. The likes of Primal Scream, Blur, Supergrass and the Stone Roses really bolster the musical credibility of the compilation, while artists like OutKast, Junior Senior and Gwen Stefani provide class, cool and saccharine radio-friendly pop respectively, leaving the real style to Musical Youth and Twisted Sister. The Scissor Sisters bring their boutique smut to proceedings to spice things up, leaving U2, REM and Robbie Williams to provide the musical equivalent of Super Noodles with their dull, wet, soulless and indistinguishable ear-pap.
The included tracks become insignificant though, when SingStore comes into the equation. For now the list of songs on the tentative version of the store come largely from the previous PlayStation 2 versions of the game, but the interface is fantastic, chiefly thanks to mimicking the secret of its influence, which lets the user choose how they interact with the software. Whether searching by genre, or artist, or through various other techniques, choosing and browsing for music is a pleasure, and the presentation of SingStore as a whole screams user friendly, thanks to the freedom of use it provides.

The predictably named My SingStar is the other major online element, and essentially builds a profile out of your performances, harnessing the various new in-game features. The appeal of a public profile based on your most embarrassing drunken moments is a questionable one at first, but quickly becomes rather enticing, and the notion of an online network based on people being downright silly, rather than just bored at work, is wonderful by comparison.

The SingStar store is likely to drain your bank accountAs you play, an EyeToy or PSeye can record your performance for immediate viewing afterwards, without obstructing the music video as you play. The USB camera also collects Golden Moments, which are quick video snippets of your most animated bursts of song, and provides a brief catalogue of stills of your microphone wielding.

All these can be collected, shared and rated online, where it is hoped you will meet friends and establish yourself in a blossoming SingStar community. Just how successful this online neighbourhood will be when so many others of a far greater size already exist is debatable, but the popularity of the game itself and the SingStore, where it will be so easy to spend pennies, seems almost guaranteed.

The SingStar machine continues to grow and flex, enchanting and consuming everything in its path, leaving even the meekest performers delighted that they met with this monster of fun. Such a glorious beast feels like it has the power to swallow the games industry completely, and belt it out like a classic. One day, it feels, we will play games on a karaoke machine and your neighbours will rue the day Sony made karaoke fashionable again.

Source (http://www.pro-g.co.uk/ps3/singstar/preview-643.html)

Music Choices
4 bands to see this week
Music Choices
Publish Date: September 27, 2007

Arctic Monkeys
Normally, English bands that are bigger than Queen Elizabeth’s tits at home end up downsizing on this side of the pond. The Manic Street Preachers may fill football stadiums in the land where Robbie Williams is king and Camilla Parker Bowles is considered hot, but next time they hit Vancouver they’ll still be playing Richard’s on Richards to 400 lager-loaded expats. Mad props then to the Arctic Monkeys, who—only two albums into their career—are selling out 4,000-seaters like the PNE Forum, which they headline on Sunday (September 30). In just two years they’ve managed to pull off what Placebo and Travis can still only dream of, not to mention that twat from Take That

Full article and source here (http://www.straight.com/article-111640/4-bands-to-see-this-week)

A DECADE OF HITS TOP FESTIVE CHART
23 October 2007

2006 A Moment Like This, Leona Lewis

2005 That's My Goal, Shayne Ward

2004 Do They Know It's Christmas, Band Aid 2004 (Robbie was one of the singers in this version)

2003 Mad World, Michael Andrews/Gary Jules

2002 Sound Of The Underground, Girls Aloud

2001 Somethin' Stupid, Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman

2000 Can We Fix It?, Bob The Builder

1999 Seasons In The Sun/I have a Dream, Westlife

1998 Goodbye, The Spice Girls

1997 Too Much, The Spice Girls


Source: The Sentinel (http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=158338&command=displayContent&sourceNode=158321&contentPK=18752883&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch)

Out of the songs on the list Robbie and the Spice Girls songs are the best - but....Bob the builder???????????????????????!:shaz:

I bet the X-factor winner will be no1 this year :grouch:

where does it come from? What kind of chart is it?

It's from The Sentinel, but there were no explanations, just the chart.

Could it be Christmas no 1 hits? I think at least Something stupid was a Christmas hit.

It's from The Sentinel, but there were no explanations, just the chart.

Could it be Christmas no 1 hits? I think at least Something stupid was a Christmas hit.
you are right - that is the list of the UK Christmas number 1's :)

you are right - that is the list of the UK Christmas number 1's :)
Ok, thanks. :)

:thx:

The Times October 27, 2007

Give it up for the band

They’ve made Robbie, Amy and Lily swing, now it’s Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings’ turn to shine

Peter Shapiro

We had no idea that it was going to turn out to be what it was,” says Neal Sugarman, the saxophonist with the Dap Kings, the Brooklyn-based funk band that backed Amy Winehouse on her Back to Black album. “We had no idea who she was beforehand. And even when the record was hitting in the UK, it wasn’t even a reality for us. We weren’t really sure that it was going to work. Hey, I run a record label, I probably should have sniffed that out, but I was pessimistic about it working – just her look and who she was and the type of music.”

Despite Sugarman’s misgivings, the vintage soul/Brill Building sound conjured by the Dap Kings and the producer Mark Ronson helped to take songs like Rehab and Back to Black to the pop charts and made Winehouse a sensation. Although members of the Dap Kings had previously worked on other Ronson projects such as Lily Allen’s Alright, Still and Robbie Williams’s Rudebox, the transatlantic success of Back to Black and the subsequent American tour generated attention for the group, which has, in various incarnations, toiled on the cultish retro-funk scene for almost a decade. But after serving as the house band for MTV’s Video Music Awards in September and selling out the legendary Apollo Theatre in their hometown, the Dap Kings move closer to the spotlight with their rather wonderful third album, 100 Days, 100 Nights, recorded with their singer, the truly amazing Sharon Jones.

Born in James Brown’s hometown of Augusta, Georgia, Jones is a diminutive 51-year-old fireball with an infectious charm and a gritty, bluesy, showstopping voice. On 100 Days, 100 Nights, she delivers classic Southern soul-style ballads with perfect restraint and economy and simply smokes the uptempo funk grooves. One critic has dubbed her “the female James Brown”.

Jones, however, struggled for years to get noticed. In the 1970s she was told by producers that she was “too old”, “too fat” or just “didn’t have the look”. Frustrated, she largely gave up on music in the 1980s, save singing in a wedding band, before her then fiancé introduced her in the mid1990s to a young kid from Brooklyn named Gabriel Roth, who was recreating the sounds of late 1960s/early 1970s funk in his basement for the Desco label that he ran with Philippe Lehman. “Gabe was looking for three back-up singers to do this thing with Lee Fields, who was Desco’s major singer,” Jones recalls. “I was like, ‘You need three girls? I can do three-part harmonies and you can pay me this amount of money and I can save you.’ So Gabe went for it. One day he said, ‘Sing something to this music.’ And that was it. He was the glove and I just fitted right in.”

That funky feel
With Desco, Jones and the label’s house band, the Soul Providers, released a series of vinyl singles so convincing that many thought they were vintage funk. This trickery was largely the result of Roth’s unswerving allegiance to analog equipment and old-fashioned methods. After Desco folded and the Soul Providers mutated into the Dap Kings, Roth built an all-analog studio, where all the group’s material is recorded.

After Winehouse’s success, Roth’s studio and methods have attracted a lot of attention. “From the outside what we do might look strange,” he says. “But when you grow up listening to good records, you want to make records. You don’t grow up saying, ‘I want to make MP3s’ or ‘I want to make CDs.’ ” Jones loves working with the band after years of disappointment: “I’m able to sing stuff that I grew up on – songs that sound like Otis Redding, Tina Turner, James Brown, and no one can look at me and make fun. No one’s saying behind my back before a show, ‘Who’s going to see her old ass?’ Who’s coming to see me? I’m getting ready to sell out the Apollo, that’s who’s coming to see my old ass.”

Jones was also involved with the recent touring production of Lou Reed’s Berlin album. At first she was shocked by the dark material. “When I heard the songs [sings in a doomy Lou Reed voice]: ‘Caroline says... This is the bed that she slit her wrists in that cold and dark night.’ I’m like ‘Ewww’. But once they put the concert together and brought the choir in, it was beautiful.

“When we got to Australia, Lou Reed gave me two verses of Sweet Jane to sing, and when I sang those two verses the audience screamed and Lou Reed’s eyes were watering. He looked at me and looked at the crowd and said, ‘This woman right here took me to the mountain top tonight.’ ” Coming from rock’s prince of darkness, that is rare praise.

100 Days, 100 Nights (Daptone) is out on Monday

Source (http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article2725609.ece)

One of Robbie's albums is in The Guardians list over "1 000 albums to hear before you die":

Robbie Williams
Greatest Hits (2004)

If all of Williams' albums up to 2004 had been condensed into this single disc,
he would have been pronounced a pop genius. Almost nothing is beyond his
abilities: ballads (Angels), orchestral pop (Millennium), skittish dance-rock (Kids),
angsty introspection (No Regrets). Flashes of brilliance like these are the
reason that the next Robbie Williams has a hard act to follow.

Source: The Guardian (http://music.guardian.co.uk/1000albums)

That's great!!! And the critic is very good!! I'm so proud of our boy :laugh2:

Thanks for posting :D

Robbie :thumbup:


Thanks Marianne.

The Only Chart That Counted: 1997
December 17, 2007

As Syco prepare to use the biggest sales week of the year as their PR department's personal fiefdom, let's go back ten years to a time when the festive list wasn't controlled by svengalis and television-dictated one-offs. Pause for irony to sink in with those that jumped ahead to look at the top three, and continue.

40 Blackstreet - (Money Can't) Buy Me Love
All hail New Jack Swing, Teddy Riley's group perhaps the last to get a huge name producer a co-credit on a massive hit and not make a big thing about it, Dr Dre guesting on No Diggity. Nobody calls these 'vocal groups' any more.

39 Will Smith - Just Cruisin'
The biggest star in the world for quite a bit back there, but doesn't seem to have done much since The Pursuit of Happyness and you're doing well if you remember his two top 20 singles just two years ago.

38 Aerosmith - Pink
Should be as celebrated as Des'Ree's ghost/toast business for the spectacular inanity of its lyrics, we say. Observe: "As pink as the sheets that we lay on/Pink is my favorite crayon....Pink when I turn out the light/Pink, it's like red but not quite." Come on, Tyler, you're not on the heavy shit now.

37 Spice Girls - Spice Up Your Life
And while we're on the topic, "we moonwalk the foxtrot then polka the salsa"?

36 Fountains Of Wayne - I Want An Alien For Christmas
'Holidays' power-pop greatness from mid-market monthly music magazine favourites still some years away from "American Busted" tag (not like the Jonas Brothers, who covered several Busted songs, that's what Teletext called them when Stacy's Mom was released)

35 Levellers - Dog Train
No such thing as crusties any more, so off they went into mere cultdom. Note though that the open policy of their Metway studio is often cited as one of the causes of Brighton's alt upswing this decade.

34 Sting & The Police - Roxanne '97
'Lute', you feel, is becoming a joke reference for the ages, perhaps even replacing 'tantric' on Sting's personal satire index card.

33 U2 - If God Will Send His Angels
From the album Pop, where they discovered there is such a thing as too little perspective.

32 Rakim - Guess Who's Back
And then away he went again.

31 Gala - Let A Boy Cry
They did Freed From Desire, and that was about it.

30 Propellerheads feat. Shirley Bassey - History Repeating
Bassey seems to think this is her own song now, but then she's never seemed the share and share alike type.

29 Bryan Adams - Back To You
The Groover From Vancouver - and if you know of a worse musical nickname, let us know - was briefly hip at this point, attempting to establish himself as a celebrity photographer as well as someone for whom the yacht rock period finishes about ten years too early.

28 PF Project feat. Ewan McGregor - Choose Life
Dance producers sample famous Trainspotting monologue. Everyone loses.

27 The Verve - Lucky Man
'History' is rewritten by the whingers.

26 The Seahorses - You Can Talk To Me
Famously their name is an anagram of He Hates Roses, although John Squire surely didn't think about it that much. Much of his painting is just throwing the stuff about, if that's any indication.

25 Paul McCartney - Beautiful Night
From Flaming Pie, one of Macca's many, many 'returns to form' of the last fifteen years.

24 Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing
It was the year of The Full Monty, and the air was rich with the sulphur of cash-in. Prince Charles arse-making wasn't far away.

23 Backstreet Boys - As Long As You Love Me
This is the one with the video where they're auditioning girls, and then the girls start auditioning them, and consequences ensue.

22 Sheryl Crow - Tomorrow Never Dies
Slinky Bondian torch balladry from evergreen occasionally MOR songstress, back after early stage breast cancer treatment in February, it says here.

21 Louise - Let's Go Round Again
Like a less eager Charlotte Church, Ms Nurding/Redknapp was always easier to like when she wasn't singing, and nobody watching her on whatever UKTV channel The Clothes Show is on probably won't change that.

20 Steps - 5, 6, 7, 8
Not to be confused with Young & Lost Club rock'n'rollers The Steps, not that anyone will ever do that, this was their debut single from when they were a one-off project cashing in on the brief vogue for line dancing with those plastic box things. Pete Waterman only got involved after this. By the way, Pete, what did happen to that Sheilas single? Number 91, you say?

19 Five - Slam Dunk (Da Funk)
Don't want to do the Britain's Worst Neighbours anecdote again. Five were originally sold as the first "lad band", because they sat next to girls in videos and wore basketball tops.

18 Reds United - Sing Up For The Champions
And they wondered why everyone hated them.

17 Lutricia McNeal - Ain't That Just The Way
You'd think she was up there with Billie Myers and Donna Lewis in 90s female one hit wonders, but you'd forget Stranded was an even bigger hit, which perhaps sums her impact up.

16 Celine Dion - The Reason
Soon to be the subject of a 33 1/3 book, albeit one that doesn't seem to actually be about Celine Dion.

15 Chicken Shed Theatre Company - I Am In Love With The World
This was pretty much favourite for number one on the basis of being for the Diana memorial fund, the recently deceased princess being their patron. Then people heard it.

14 Vanilla - No Way No Way
Ah! Frances, Alison, Alida and Sharon by name, the most infamous of the late 90s girl group explosion and their Piero Umiliani cribbing, folk tale being they were the result of a bet between record producers as to who could get the worst record into the chart. There was a follow-up, True To Us, which crawled into the top 40 shortly afterwards and was chiefly notable for a shortlived attempt at acapella on a kids' programme.

13 Barbra Streisand & Celine Dion - Tell Him
Not the same as, or as good as, Caroline Quentin and Leslie Ash's Tell Him.

12 Steven Houghton - Wind Beneath My Wings
Was in London's Burning, like John Alford. As nobody cares about Steven Houghton, what happened to John Alford after he came out of jail?

11 Elton John - Candle In The Wind '97/Something About The Way You Look Tonight
Probably still in the Canadian top ten.

10 Mase - Feel So Good
One of Puffy's lot, and hence subject to Diddy's usual man-distracted-while-reading-paper rapping style, not that he was much better himself.

9 Boyzone - Baby Can I Hold You
Never mind this schlock, Tracy Chapman, whose this is, re-recorded it with Pavarotti, just to show them how to really misjudge the tone of a song.

8 Natalie Imbruglia - Torn
Controversies rarely came smaller than the significant tabloid and Chris Evans shitstorm that blew up when it transpired someone else had written the song and given it to minor European singers to record long before Imbruglia had a shot. Pop facts: both of Zero 7 worked on the track, Katrina off the Waves is on backing vocals and it was released four years after she left Neighbours.

7 Robbie Williams - Angels
The widely accepted story is the song was actually written by Williams with an Irish writer called Ray Heffernan, Guy Chambers brought in as a fixer, Heffernan was paid off for a reported £10K and Chambers now has a career out of writing this one song. Never anywhere near number one, you forget.

6 Aqua - Barbie Girl
The bald bloke's making a solo album! Run for your lives!

5 Janet Jackson - Together Again
Odd cove, Janet - even leaving the whole nipple issue aside, that she's one of the world's biggest selling female singers ever just doesn't seem to register. Wikipedia quote of the day, on claims of a secret child from before her career took off: "Jackson has since denied this claim, but many people claimed that in a magazine, they remember when her stomach was big." Lynne Truss, where are you now?

4 All Saints - Never Ever
Last heard of being abused to no great effect by Girls Aloud in interviews, followed by the writer assuring that this quote-friendly cattiness for cattiness' sake is what makes GA such a great band, rather than people trying too hard to reinforce shitty stereotypes. Who really cared enough about the All Saints comeback to launch waves of attacks on them?

3 Various Artists - Perfect Day
It's not really explicitly about heroin, is it? Like There She Goes, which gets played at wedding receptions fair enough. The only other source of controversy about the Children In Need effort came from complaints from several sources about Michael Hutchence's cameo, even though it was actually the very much living at the time Evan Dando.

2 Teletubbies - Teletubbies Say Eh-Oh!
The biggest selling single by a non-human group. Mind you...

1 Spice Girls - Too Much
Ho ho! You could argue this is the now renationalised five-piece version's least well remembered single, being largely released to tie in with the Spice World movie. Yeah, the people currently woodworming each other out in those Tesco adverts were once trusted as leads in a film.

Source (http://sweepingthenation.blogspot.com/2007/12/only-chart-that-counted-1997.html)

Today in music history: Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman - Somethin’ Stupid (2001)

December 20, 2007

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/MarianneStockholm/RWMusik/RobbieWilliams_NicoleKidman-Somethi.jpg

“Somethin’ Stupid” is a song written by C. Carson Parks and released by Carson and Gaile. It was released in 1967 by Frank Sinatra and his daughter, Nancy Sinatra which rose to #1 on the US Singles Chart and won the elder Sinatra his first Gold single.

The song was re-recorded for Robbie Williams’ 2001 album, Swing When You’re Winning, also released in that year. The duet with Nicole Kidman became Williams’ first Christmas Number-One single in the United Kingdom, and fifth as a solo artist, the single sold 98,506 copies in its first week and 366,000 copies over all earning a Silver Certification.

YouTube-Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzNnI9_Buu4&NR=1)

Source (http://www.lifestylersgroup.com/blog/?p=863)

they looked great together in the video for this

Sharon Jones isn't shy about sharing what God gave her

Saturday, December 29 2007

SHARON JONES When Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings made their San Diego debut two years ago, this vintage R&B-celebrating band from Brooklyn was so low-profile it barely qualified as a sub-underground sensation.

Now, thanks to such famous fans-cum-collaborators as Amy Winehouse, Denzel Washington, Lou Reed, Rufus Wainwright and They Might Be Giants, this independent-minded group is at last becoming a sensation in its own right.

"I'm just glad it's all sort of happening now," said Jones. "It's been 12 years and we've been working hard. You can say it's about time."

Jones, 51, is the vocal and visual focal point of the Dap-Kings, whose eight male members are nearly all at least 20 to 25 years younger than her. While hipsters have been buzzing about the band for several years, its recent rise to prominence can be attributed less to the group's lean, mean, proudly old-school style of soul and funk than to two notable admirers in London, Winehouse, 24, and her producer, Mark Ronson, 32.

Winehouse became a fan after hearing the 2002 album, "Dap Dippin' With Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings," and its more polished 2005 sequel, "Naturally," both released on the band's own Daptone Records label. The group, minus Jones, was hired by Ronson to perform with Winehouse on six of the 11 songs on her 2007 breakthrough album, "Back to Black," including the international hit "Rehab."
The Dap-Kings subsequently backed the gifted but troubled young English singer on her North American tour and was featured on all but one of the 14 songs on Ronson's solo album, "Version." The group, again minus Jones, has since worked with artists as diverse as Al Green and Robbie Williams.
But the Dap-Kings' charismatic lead singer hasn't been twiddling her thumbs during her downtime from the group.

Jones toured with ex-Velvet Underground leader Reed on his recent "Berlin" world tour and did recording dates with Wainwright and They Might be Giants. She is also featured in the upcoming Denzel Washington film, "The Great Debaters," which Washington both stars in and directs.

Accompanied by Alvin Youngblood Hart and The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Jones performs in the film as a bluesy 1930s juke-joint singer and has a few spoken lines as well. She will be featured on at least a half-dozen songs on the soundtrack album, including the proto-R&B classic "Tight Like That" and the gospel chestnut "Two Wings Above My Head."

"When I first got on the set, Denzel knew I was nervous," Jones recalled. "So he came out, grabbed me, hugged me, and said: 'Sharon Jones!' Every time he called my name I would just shiver, but I had to be professional."

She giggled with a combination of girlish delight and professional pride.

"They asked Denzel in an interview how he liked me. And he said: 'She's real, she's honest, and I love her.'"

Washington's assessment of Jones also helps explain why she and her band are striking a big chord with young and seasoned listeners here and across Europe.

The taut, rhythmically infectious songs the Dap-Kings write and perform with Jones are steeped in the classic styles of Aretha Franklin and James Brown, circa their respective artistic primes in the 1960s and early '70s. The influence of such great Stax Volt Records artists as Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, Mable John and the Bar-Kays is also evident on "100 Days, 100 Nights," the third and finest album yet by the Dap-Kings.

"I have a sound that James and Aretha had when they were in their 20s that I'm singing now in my 50s," Jones said.

"When I get off that stage, I'm sweating! I don't think about makeup and trying to be all cute, or about my feet being dirty or my pantyhose being ripped. I'm coming to give you a show and to give you the nitty-gritty. I don't need 15 background singers and dancers on stage to keep the entertainment up. I don't need some young girls behind me with with their chests sticking out. I'm enough on stage, me and the Dap-Kings.

"I'm not thinking about notes; I just open my mouth and it comes out. When the music is good, you just get out of the way and let it flow. We bring these songs to life and tell a story."

Jones' own story might be worthy of a feature film in its own right.

Born, like Soul Brother No. 1 Brown, in Augusta, Ga., Sheron Lafaye Jones grew up mostly in Brooklyn, N.Y., although she regularly returned to visit family members in the South. She began singing gospel music in church as a child, then branched out into funk and soul as a teenager.

Yet, while she had the vocal chops and onstage poise to make it as a professional, fame and fortune eluded her. The reasons had little to do with skill and everything to do with a society that places a premium on image over ability.

Or, as Jones put in an interview in late 2005: "When I started out in music back in the early 1970s, people told me I didn't have the 'look,' and that I was too dark-skinned. Then, once I got past 30, they told me I was too old and too fat. Well, I'm still dark. And I don't think I'm fat; I'm pleasantly plump."

She never stopped singing, be it in wedding bands or as an anonymous studio vocalist. To make ends meet, Jones held a variety of day jobs, including stints as an armored car guard, a sanitation worker and as a guard at Rikers Island, New York City's largest jail.

"I had a great time with the inmates, but I didn't belong there," she recalled of her tenure at Rikers Island.

"God gave me a gift. I always said to myself: 'People are not accepting me, but one day they'll accept me for my voice, not my color, or my height or my weight.' You have to keep the faith when God gives you something. That's my voice - and this is me."

Source (http://www.paramuspost.com/article.php/20071226071746949)

Dap-Kings played on Rudebox

I`ve heard a few their songs, love the sound.

Chris Tracy:

Top 3 Vegas Hot Spots you'd hit if you were out partying:
The Griffin, The Red Room and Your house!

The 3 best songs ever:
"Hummer" by Smashing Pumpkins, "Till next tuesday" by Vanessa and the O's and "The 80's" by Robbie Williams

What's the best place under the radar to grab grub in Vegas:
The Original Hash House (Not that froo-froo a go-go place) and Sushi Factory

What Vegas celebs would you most like to hang with:
Jay Cooper

If you had to chose just one person, food and drink for the rest of your life, what would they be?
My dog, my nana's chicken and dumplings and I want that purple stuff (Grape drink)

What celebrity would you most like to slap in the head and say "What the hell were you thinking!"
AXL ROSE... How do you ruin Guns & Roses

Who needs to be banished from Vegas and never be allowed to come back and why?
Jimmy Walker - Just say DYNOMITE!!!

Who is the coolest human being in Las Vegas?
Lonnie Hammergren

Words to live by:
You can't tell your story when you're gone

Turn ons:
Guitars, a great 2 minute song

Turn offs:
Pushy people

Favorite websites this month:
Vanessaandtheos.com, scratchie.com, funnyordie.com

98,5 KLUC - Las Vegas 1 Hit Music Station (http://kluc.com/Chris-Tracy-Bio/1519848)

KLUC is a commercial radio station located in Las Vegas, Nevada, broadcasting on 98.5 FM. KLUC airs a rhythmic Top 40 music format.

Lenny Kravitz: It Is Time For a Love Revolution
Published Wednesday, February 06, 2008

By Jonathan Reyes

It’s no government conspiracy that the main undertaking of Lenny Kravitz’s sound is the revival of classic rock. Nearly twenty years ago Kravitz suggested Let Love Rule [Virgin] and on his eighth studio album he’s telling us It Is Time for a Love Revolution [Virgin] – so, it’s alright if you’re getting a case of déjà vu. Also, it’s been almost ten years since a Lenny Kravitz album, in its entirety, was a hit – the last one being 5 [Virgin], which spawned 3 hit singles. Two studio album releases after 5, with a hit here and there, he proved it didn’t matter.

Ironically the '60s and '70s rock and roll sounding It Is Time for a Love Revolution is packed with hopeful messages much like Barack Obama’s political platform and released during a time the country’s is deep in a war that’s immensely controversial. Kravitz seems set on bringing on the radar a type of passion and political activism that’s not been seen since the Vietnam days with “Back In Vietnam.” But even in its most stern moments Love comes across very whimsical and almost peppy. A mood primarily heard on “Dancin’ Til Dawn,” “Bring It On,” and “Love Love Love.”

“Good Morning” harbors a sonic resonance to “It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over” and Robbie Williams’s brand of British pop. Seemingly, The Godfather of Soul was channeled for “Will You Marry Me” as it brings to life a funky “Ugghhh!” that will immediately make you blurt, “Jame Brown!” The hippie rock messages of optimism are embodied in “If You Want It” and “Love Revolution.” The stellar “I’ll Be Waiting” does string in Lenny’s signature ballad style, but does it with a sense of freshness that other artists of his level do by being irrelevant.

It’ll be easy to hear that Lenny couldn’t wait to use these political tribulations to rock out and get his Led Zeppelin on, which makes this project fun to listen to. Plus, he’s got the musicianship chops to do whatever he well pleases; just check the guitar solo on “A Long and Sad Goodbye.” Still, it would have been pleasant had it made him just as focused on writing the profound lyrics It Is Time for a Love Revolution required for it to be a smash, if even less preachy. Guess baby smash for the already-made fans will have to do – nowadays, any smash is just as good.

Source (http://allhiphop.com/stories/alternativesreviews/archive/2008/02/06/19245957.aspx)

The bass and the drums and the ra ra ra

Basshunter makes it five weeks at the top of the UK singles chart as Now You're Gone is still the nation's best-selling single. It's pretty rare for dance records to spend so long at number one - the last one to do it was Eric Prydz's Call On Me back in 2005, but his run was interrupted by Robbie Williams' Radio. Run DMC vs Jason Nevins managed five consecutive weeks with It's Like That in 1998, but the last european dance act to do it was 2 Unlimited with No Limit, 15 years ago this week.

Source (http://popunlimited.blogspot.com/2008/02/bass-and-drums-and-ra-ra-ra.html)

Wet Wet Wet Make A Surprise Comeback

There's are certain inevitabilities you can expect every decade, and one of them is the pop comeback. To be sure, we've had plenty lately: Take That, Robyn, Spice Girls and, if rumors are to be believed, New Kids On The Block at some point. But Wet Wet Wet? Nearly 11 years since their last big hit, "Yesterday," the aging Scottish geezers slide onto the singles chart at #10 with "Weightless."

Wet Wet Wet initially had a nice 10-year run from the late '80s to late '90s, wherein they racked up two dozen chart hits and singer Marti Pellow did some grade A heroin. And surely no pop fan of a certain age can forget the five bazillion weeks they spent at #1 back in '94 with their cover of "Love Is All Around."

Anyway, "Weightless," the second single off Wet Wet Wet's Timeless album, is a pleasant enough ballad, if maybe a bit, uh, late '80s- or '90s-sounding. That said, it also sounds a tad Robbie Williams:

You Tube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L1fsLf8gqs&feature=related)

Source (http://chartrigger.blogspot.com/2008/02/wet-wet-wet-make-surprise-comeback.html)

I agree with that statement - it does...my little boy asked me if it was Robbie yesterday when he heard it on the radio.

Never really liked Marty...he's a bit full of himself...but the best of luck to them anyway

SHE'S AMY WINHOUSE

12th February 2008 By Nadine Linge

Triumphant Amy Wine-house is set to make millions from her amazing success at the Grammys.

The singer plans to cash in with a string of Stateside gigs after scooping five gongs at the prestigious bash.

After a mix-up over her visa, it emerged the Rehab star is allowed to travel to the US because she has no actual drugs convictions.

Amy, 24, stole the show at the Grammys in Los Angeles despite not being there, performing instead by satellite link-up.

Industry experts predict big things for Amy now – succeeding where artists such as Robbie Williams, 33, have failed and cracking the States.

One said: “America is Amy’s oyster. After these five awards she’s the hottest property in music – a tour could make her a fortune.”

Amy, who left rehab to prepare for her performance, looked stunned as it was announced she had won Record Of The Year for Rehab.

She stared straight ahead for a few seconds as the news sunk in before turning round and being pulled into a hug with backing dancers and parents Janis, 52, and Mitch, 57.

In her acceptance speech, Amy paid tribute to her folks and husband Blake Fielder-Civil, 25, who is in jail awaiting trial on charges linked to a pub brawl. The star also dedicated her award to London after the Camden fire ripped through her favourite pub, The Hawley Arms.

She said: “To my mum and dad. To my Blake, my Blake incarcerated.

“And for London, this is for London, because Camden Town ain’t burning down.”

The jazz/soul diva put on a polished performance of her hits Rehab and You Know I’m No Good, a marked difference to her previous shambolic and drunken shows.

She performed at 4am London time yesterday in front of a cabaret audience, wearing a short black dress.

As well as record of the year, Amy scooped awards for song of the year, best new artist, best pop vocal album for Back To Black and best female pop vocal.

She said: “I am so proud of this album. I put my heart and soul into it and it’s wicked to be recognised in this way.”

Daily Star (http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/29244/She-s-Amy-Winhouse/)

She did put on a good show and her backing singers and band were also fab.

Songs to Play on Valentines Day

Since we’re talking about lists of best to favourite songs, here’s another list that will surely complete your Valentines. Whatever the color of your Valentines, we all should still be thankful for the gift of music. Enjoy the best Valentine songs of all time with titles from A-Y.

All I Want to Do is Make Love to You - Heart
All Out Of Love - Air Supply
And I Love Her - The Beatles
And You Don’t Remember - Mariah Carey
Angels - Robbie Williams
As Long As You Love Me - Backstreet Boys
Baby I Love You - Jennifer Lopez
Because I Love You - Jewel
Because You Loved Me - Celine Dion
Blessed - Christina Aguilera
Breaks My Heart - Monica
Breathless - The Corrs
But I Do Love You - Michelle Branch
Can’t Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
Change The World - Eric Clapton
Crazy For You - Madonna
Dangerously In Love - Destiny’s Child
Escape - Enrique Iglesias
Everything I Do, I Do It For You - Bryan Adams

For the complete list, please see Valentine Songs (http://www.everythingvalentinesday.com/love-songs.html)

WikiMusicGuide (http://blog.wikimusicguide.com/2008/02/10/songs-to-play-on-valentines-day/)

I prefer How Peculiar.. :rose:

Interesting list, thanks.

Ask Hilary

DEAR HILARY

Can listening to music help you work out?

Paula Radcliffe listened to Gwen Stefani, Robbie Williams and the Scissor Sisters when she ran to victory at the New York City Marathon, and research shows that listening to music while exercising can boost your performance by up to 20 per cent.

Any exercise which has a consistent action, such as running or cycling lends itself to musical accompaniment.

Listening to your fave tracks can also inspire you to keep up a good pace and provide a distraction.

OK! Magazine (http://ok.co.uk/body/view/417/Ask-Hilary/)

Ask Hilary

DEAR HILARY

Can listening to music help you work out?

Paula Radcliffe listened to Gwen Stefani, Robbie Williams and the Scissor Sisters when she ran to victory at the New York City Marathon, and research shows that listening to music while exercising can boost your performance by up to 20 per cent.

Any exercise which has a consistent action, such as running or cycling lends itself to musical accompaniment.

Listening to your fave tracks can also inspire you to keep up a good pace and provide a distraction.

OK! Magazine (http://ok.co.uk/body/view/417/Ask-Hilary/)


That is SO true http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/froehlich/a013.gif I never http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/sportlich/d038.gif without Robbie. I have a ‘’running play list’’. I could do with a few more ‘’fast’’ numbers Robbie so I expect a few more in your new CD http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/musik/e014.gif

Roísín Murphy

“From a very young age, I was told you create the way you are, that you don't need to be what other people think you should be.”

.....

“Everybody liked it, didn’t they. There’s something on the internet, a critique comparison site, where all the reviews go into a database and then you get an overall rating ‘Overpowered’ got ‘Universally Acclaimed’, which is better than shit, that’s for sure! Generally though I try not to look at the reviews, it’s really unhealthy, but then we all do a lot of things that are unhealthy.”

In her official website biog it is stated that EMI signed Murphy because she reminded them of Robbie Williams. We ask whether she considers this an unhealthy comparison.

“It’s important to set this in the correct context. Yes, it’s true that EMI came to see me play live and later, when backstage, told me, ‘don’t take this the wrong way, but the only performer we can compare you to is Robbie Williams, you have the same sort of connection with your audience’. Which, given a lot of people consider me some sort of Ice Queen, is not the usual line I hear. It is important to me to be able to communicate; I believe I’m an unconventional performer, that I make little pieces of music art rather than songs.”

For this ‘unconventional performer’ the need to remain faithful to her creative impulses takes precedence over any mainstream concerns.

.....

Full article (2 pages) (http://iheartau.com/features/roisin-murphy)

Roísín Murphy

“From a very young age, I was told you create the way you are, that you don't need to be what other people think you should be.”

.....

“Everybody liked it, didn’t they. There’s something on the internet, a critique comparison site, where all the reviews go into a database and then you get an overall rating ‘Overpowered’ got ‘Universally Acclaimed’, which is better than shit, that’s for sure! Generally though I try not to look at the reviews, it’s really unhealthy, but then we all do a lot of things that are unhealthy.”

In her official website biog it is stated that EMI signed Murphy because she reminded them of Robbie Williams. We ask whether she considers this an unhealthy comparison.

“It’s important to set this in the correct context. Yes, it’s true that EMI came to see me play live and later, when backstage, told me, ‘don’t take this the wrong way, but the only performer we can compare you to is Robbie Williams, you have the same sort of connection with your audience’. Which, given a lot of people consider me some sort of Ice Queen, is not the usual line I hear. It is important to me to be able to communicate; I believe I’m an unconventional performer, that I make little pieces of music art rather than songs.”

For this ‘unconventional performer’ the need to remain faithful to her creative impulses takes precedence over any mainstream concerns.

.....

Full article (2 pages) (http://iheartau.com/features/roisin-murphy)
Don't think I would call this a compliment...they can never just be nice. :3amtwats:

Jessica Polsky

Austin, Texas native Jessica Polsky lacked only the ringlets to be this generation's Shirley Temple. But the straight, sandy blonde hair was no detriment as this feisty toddler found her way on to the stage by the age of 3.

Dance school was the logical choice of the parents of a child who, as soon as she was able to walk and talk, was putting on one-woman shows for anyone she could find, boogeying and singing to the soundtracks of “Grease” and Broadway musicals such as “A Chorus Line”, as well as accompanying her dad on vocals as he strummed the guitar. Jessica was soon pouring all of this energy into her lessons at Dancers' Workshop, Austin's, and one of Texas' and the country's, leading local dance schools under the direction of Dawn Weiss.

.......

The country, press and showbiz industry exploded in unanimous adoration for the Texan actress. In fact, the first season on the air Jessica won the Italian Emmy-equivelant from the Italian Television Academy for the Best New Actress of the Television Season for her role as “Jessica” in Camera Cafè. The first foreigner ever to receive this recognition, it was an enormous honor.

Following the 2nd season of Camera Cafè Jessica was presented another fabulous opportunity: to participate in the presentation of the annual, televised concert series “Festivalbar” as the backstage correspondant. She spent the whole summer on tour throughout Italy with the concerts and interviewing international music stars like Sheryl Crow, the Backstreet Boys, Natalie Imbruglia, Simply Red, Jamiroquai, James Blunt, Daniel Powter, Michael Bublè, Craig David, Mario, Mel C (ex Spice Girl), Tears For Fears, and many others. She had her own show “Behind the Scenes at Festivalbar” on a major network (Italia 1) for the entire summer.

Not long after the end of Festivalbar she was contacted to host a prime-time televised special on the world-famous pop sensation Robbie Williams. She was flown to Berlin as a special guest of his to cover his history-making concert there, and then Williams was soon after in Milan where Jessica held an exclusive interview with him. Robbie Williams Live With Jessica! was one of the most important television events of the season.

She now finds herself juggling her work demands with the circus of celebrity life, finding time between filming and traveling to be a guest on talk shows, give her signature lively tv, radio and print interviews, attend publicity events, participate in ad campaigns and events for the various designers and lines she is the endorsement celebrity for, and, of course, sign autographs for and take pictures with the many fans that stop her on the street. The immediate future is full of numerous exciting projects, in all markets of showbusiness, and the best is yet to come!

Full article (http://allcelebs.blogspot.com/2008/02/jessica-polsky.html)

Rock 'n' roll legend who's lived live to the full

By Nadine Bateman Entertainments editor

He's a rock and roll icon, author and restaurateur - legendary former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman has seen it all.

For more than 30 years he was part of one of the biggest rock 'n' roll bands in the world.

Now as the driving force behind the Rhythm Kings, he returns to his musical roots and the kind of classic rhythm and blues that first inspired Wyman to pick up the guitar as a teenager. The band play Portsmouth Guildhall on Monday (February 18).

Says Bill: 'The whole idea behind the band was to play music that we love and I think you can hear and feel that on our records. Playing live, doing gigs, means everybody in the band does it for the same reasons as I do; to have a good time and send the crowd home with smiles on their faces.'

At 71 Bill Wyman is by no means ready to slow down. 'I never stop. I'm involved in archeological digs and the restaurant Sticky Fingers in London. I'm into photography, write archeological books. I can focus on things and do them properly. Also The Rhythm Kings take out six weeks a year to tour and I have a family too.'

Joining him is an impressive line-up of old school pros including Albert Lee, who's lightning-fast speed has earned him a reputation as the guitarist's guitarist, also known as Mr Telecaster; Dennis Locorriere, Dr. Hook, lead vocalist and guitarist and Geraint Watkins, a rock and roll, boogie and blues pianist who has given his skills to some of the biggest names in music during his 30 year career.

The singer is Beverley Skeete, who has been the featured vocalist with the band since its formation in 1997 and has recorded with the likes of Robbie Williams and Elton John.

For tickets, call (023) 9282 4355.

Source (http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/entertainment/Rock-39n39-roll-legend-who39s.3774478.jp)

A Rendezvous with Music Maestro Shamir Tandon

In the world of music, Shamir Tandon is looked upon as a very talented music director who excels in creating music for Madhur Bhandarkar trilogy -- award winning film Page-3 and the popular Corporate and Traffic Signal. Although, he started his journey with Raveena Tandon's Stumped.

/24-7PressRelease/ - NEW DELHI, INDIA, February 14, 2008 -

Melodically-blessed Shamir Tandon, a renowned composer, has covered a very very long journey, at the speed of a jet, from an MBA and a Cost Accountant by profession having a 8-9 years stint with Singapore-based Virgin EMI, a very big multinational corporation, as CEO of Virgin Music India, and that, too, by creating music for films with mature and sensitive subjects.

.....

The beginning of the new year has seen the release of the music of the film Super Star by Ashtavinayak films (featuring Kunal Khemu and Tulip Joshi). With the music of this film, Shamir has made an entry into the realm of commercial cinema prior to which he was best known for his mature music in realistic movies of Madhur Bhandarkar having extensively used legendary voices in his past films, while in Super Star he has used a lot of young new voices.

Shamir was also responsible for marketing and distributing global acts ranging from the Beatles, Floyd, Frank Sinatra to Norah Jones, Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue. He was also instrumental in bringing down to India acts such ad Deep Purple, Rolling Stones, Richard Clayderman and Michael Learns to Rock to India.

.....

*On his upcoming projects?
Shamir said that I have films coming up with Ashtavinayak films, Sangeet Sivan, Rupali films -Sanjay Ahluwalia, Shemaroo, Karan Razdan, Popcorn - Sunil Shetty, Satish Kaushik, a single with Sunidhi chauhan and Taaza, Asha and friend Vol 2 and more.

*In an age of plagiarism you have always believed in legitimate collaboration - Comment.
He said that I am lucky to have been able to work on some international projects. I have personally worked to make the song One Love for Abhishek-Bipasha where the boy band Blue collaborated with Shaan and brought the entire project together. Now for virgin records I have done two recordings of Ashaji with Robbie Williams. Thats a big one.

*Your songs are beautifully written. Where do you get these ideas?
I like to sit with my writers and discuss words and thoughts with them. That makes a difference.

*When questioned on the menace of piracy and how to prevent it?
Being very critical of piracy, Shamir said that its an age old concept - it has coexisted. I think more than building fear psychosis we need to educate the consumer that downloading without paying is illegal, that buying cds and sharing is not within the law. Most of the times the consumer is not even aware that what he is doing is not correct. We should run a campaign.

Shamir's eagerly awaited works include Fashion, Mittal v/s Mittal, some films produced by Shemaroo, Ashtavinayak Films, Percept, Sangeet Sivan and many more that he wishes to keep under wraps for reasons of superstition.

Full article at 24-7PressRelease (http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release-rss/a-rendezvous-with-music-maestro-shamir-tandon-41045.php)

Reading should be proud of its music

Stuart Roach
14/2/2008

After almost 10 years of covering the Reading music scene, this is my final Sounds Column.

With apologies to my editor, I realise this column now goes under a different name. But, to me, it will always be Sounds.

And, from the first column I wrote for the Evening Post on October 30 1998, it has been a blast.

My remit was to cover the news and gossip on the local bands and the main events in the town. At the time, that looked like a tall order, given that most big-name bands viewed the M4 corridor as a by-pass to London and that local emerging bands were allegedly few and far between.

Yet my favourite word in early columns quickly became ‘burgeoning’ as the Reading scene began to emerge into something to get excited about.

Saloon, Powis Square and Riser were early favourites and Chocolate Starship secured a famous fan in Kate Winslet, who invited them to play at her wedding.

When her dad, Roger, showed a bit of Starship Enterprise and hopped up on stage to croon with the band, Bidgie Reef and the Gas was unwittingly born. And there were plenty more where they came from.

The Cooper Temple Clause took the Reading scene to new levels by securing a six-figure recording deal that got us all excited – and the likes of Pete and the Pirates, Morning Runner and The Hoosiers are among those to have broken the ‘unsigned’ shackles in recent years.

The Coopers were the highlight of emerging Reading nights such as Unsigned Showcase at Bar Oz, as more and more venues began to offer a live stage to the increasing numbers of up-and-coming local bands.

And the type of bands who had previously played Reading on the way up began to return too. The Killers, Babyshambles, Athlete and more at The Fez; Bloc Party among the Rising Sun highlights and Robbie Williams warming up for an Arena tour with a ‘secret’ Rivermead visit.

These were nights to get excited about.

And if those local showcase nights and emerging national names were my staple Sounds diet each week, then the two extremes made for tasty times too.

The local club nights provided the foundations of our gig guide from day one, while the Reading Festival was our Christmas, birthdays and summer holidays all rolled into one. From Checkpoint Charlie to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, this was the loyal wife and the raunchy mistress of the Reading music scene.

I once even managed both in one spectacular night: an After Dark afterparty followed Blur’s appearance at the Festival, providing one of my ultimate Reading highlights.

Of those, there have been many.

A liquid lunch with Coopers at the Rose in Wokingham to talk about their record contract; an invite and stageside view for that secret Robbie gig; backstage gossiping at the Reading Festival and a tented weekend at Leeds to review the birth of Carling Weekend sibling; KT Tunstall inviting me to join her on the back seat of her car, rather than conduct an interview in the cold; and that Killers gig at The Fez, where Ronnie Vannuci junior stood up as he drummed.

The rumours I’m hearing are that The Killers may be one of the three American bands who will headline this year’s Reading Festival. If they do, their appearance would complete a remarkable Reading musical journey – for them and for me.

Source (http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/entertainment/music/2021/2021962/reading_should_be_proud_of_its_music_)

Viva Mandela! EXCLUSIVE SPICE GIRLS MAY RETURN FOR NELSON'S GIG


Showbiz picturesWe thought the Spice Girls would hang up their microphones after they wrapped up their world tour.

But despite all the *****ing behind the scenes, the Spices could be wooed by a very special man into performing one last show - Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday concert.

Organisers of the legendary humanitarian's summer birthday celebration want the girls to headline the event.

And Nels is hoping they'll oblige, especially as they declined his request to play at his 89th birthday last year due to work commitments and because Emma Bunton was heavily pregnant.

AdvertisementA source tells us: "Nelson is desperate for them to perform one last time - and he's confident it will happen. He first met the Spices in 1997 and called them his 'heroes', so he has deep admiration for them." A-listers are already queueing to be part of the historic event, which is taking place in London's Hyde Park in June.

Queen have already confirmed - with Robbie Williams even rumoured to be planning an appearance alongside the rockers, dressed as Freddie Mercury.

Bono has also agreed to take part and he's desperately trying to rope in former Eurythmics star Annie Lennox and the Rolling Stones. And Rihanna and Jay-Z are expected to take to the stage, too. Supermodel Naomi Campbell, who calls Nelson her adopted "grandad", is helping organise the event. And she's expected to involved her race-ace pal Lewis Hamilton, as well as fellow supermodel Kate Moss.

"This concert is going to be the talk of the decade," adds our insider. "Nelson is a hero and thousands of fans will turn out to support him - as well as the biggest names in showbiz."

WHO COULD BE THERE:

Queen with ROBBIE WILLIAMS

BONO JAY-Z

ANNIE LENNOX

ROLLING STONES


SOURCE - I will buy a ticket now to see that! (http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/3am/2008/02/15/viva-mandela-89520-20319774/)

Oh, I wish, would be awesome. But I'm afraid it will stay what it is now - a nice rumour ..

Group to reunite for Nelson Mandela concert
The Spice Girls are being asked to reunite for a special concert after their tour ends this month.

The group are being lined up to headline Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday concert in June.

'Nelson is desperate for them to perform one last time - and he's confident it will happen,' says a source.

'He first met the Spices in 1997 and called them his “heroes”, so he has deep admiration for them.'

Posh, Ginger, Baby, Sporty and Scary will join the likes of U2, Queen, Annie Lennox and Robbie Williams for the gig, which will take place in London's Hyde Park.

'This concert is going to be the talk of the decade,' the source tells the Daily Mirror. 'Nelson is a hero and thousands of fans will turn out to support him - as well as the biggest names in showbiz.'

The Spice Girls final tour gig will be in Toronto, Canada, on 26 February.

See the Spice Girls talk about the tour's end themselves...
http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/celeb_news/Spice_Girls_to_return_for_oneoff_gig_article_18084 6.html

That would be nice...makes me remember last year when he was rumoured to do 2 gigs in the summer...

Did he?

Nope!

Maybe this time he will...that would be nice...

I want to see LMEY with the full beard...

More Than Just A Passing Acquaintance (Take Two)

Three years ago, my iTunes library held 4242 songs (12.3 days, 19.24 GB. 813 artists, 613 albums).

Today, after deleting a bunch of duplicates and stuff I never listen to (in preparation for upgrading to Leopard, which I concluded successfully), the stats are: 5840 songs, 16.9 days, 28.9 GB, 683 artists, 896 albums. Not that much more, I know. I try to keep it light. Who can listen to 17 days worth of music and remember anything? A musician or music journalist, maybe, but not me.

The top artists haven't changed much either.

The One True Elvis (Costello) is still my Number One with 196 songs.
Robert Palmer comes in second with 162 songs.
Jacques Brel has been third, with 123 songs, ever since I bought that great box set.
Next up are Robbie Williams (84),
R.E.M. (71),
P.J. Harvey (65),
The Red Hot Chili Peppers (61),
Pearl Jam (58),
John Hiatt (57),
and the Kleptones in tenth place with 55 marvelous mashups.

Source (http://elkit.blogs.com:80/elkit/2008/02/more-than-just.html)

The Feeling - Join With Us

Review by Jack Foley

IndieLondon Rating: 2 out of 5

THE Feeling won many hearts with their debut release Twelve Stops And Home, which gave rise to such memorable singles as Fill My Little World, Never Be Lonely and – most notably – Sewn.

For their sophomore effort, Join With Us, Dan Gillespie Sells and company attempt to recapture that magic, albeit on a more epic scale. If anything, album number two is even more hopeful than its happy go lucky predecessor – and maybe that’s the problem. It’s simply too upbeat.

............

But as hard as they try to endear themselves, there’s simply not enough going for this record to keep you tuned in. Recommendations come in the form of I Did It For Everyone, which uplift in just about the correct fashion, Loneliness, which at least embraces its own absurdity, and This Time, which talks of getting it right and doing things properly. It’ll probably become a lighters in the air concert favourite to rival Robbie Williams’ Angels.

Perhaps next time they will get things right. Sadly, with Join With Us they’ve never seemed less appealing.

Download picks: This Time, Loneliness, I Did It For Everyone

Full Review in IndieLondon (http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Music-Review/the-feeling-join-with-us)

Succeeding solo after a hit group

By Arif Ansari
Entertainment reporter, BBC News

As G4's Jonathan Ansell goes solo, we investigate how difficult it is for ex-members of successful bands to make it on their own.

For the last few years he has been known as 'the blonde one' from X-Factor group G4.

Now Jonathan Ansell is out on his own with his debut solo album, Tenor at the Movies.

Gone is the trademark spiky hair, which has been plastered down for the album's front cover.

"It's a '50s movie slick, and there was a lot of gel involved," he laughs as he recalls the photo shoot.

It is all part of the effort to rebrand Ansell as a more mature singer who has left the world of TV talent shows behind him.

"Working solo is definitely going to have to grow on me over time - the realisation you are literally on your own," he says.

"You aren't hidden behind a band name anymore. I am enjoying it, but I wouldn't say I'm happier. It's just different."

Curtains

Moving from a group to a solo career is risky. For every Justin Timberlake or Robbie Williams, there is a Lee Ryan or a Stephen Gately.

Those who succeed can end up superseding the band that produced them. For those who miscalculate, though, it can be curtains.

"If you're doing this high-profile stuff, you must think to yourself 'how can I fail?'" says Peter Robinson of music website Popjustice.com.

"If you're in a band and you get a number one, you kind of think 'I can achieve one third of this success myself.'

"But it doesn't happen like that. What makes pop songs work is a combination of the members. Individually there isn't that spark."

Just ask Take That member Gary Barlow, who bitterly recalls being ridiculed when he tried his hand as a solo artist.

'Incredibly proud'

"I was told I was the new George Michael, the next Elton - the best British songwriter for years," he wrote in his autobiography.

"I was told, 'Forget Robbie, the big money is on you.' But almost from the moment I left Take That, my self-belief began to fade away."

Ansell, though, is well aware failure is a possibility and has gone into this new phase of his career with both eyes open.

"The fans have told me it's difficult to connect with me as Jonathan Ansell rather than as part of G4.

"I guess through time people will start to distance me from that. But it's fine with me - I'm incredibly proud of what we did."

Ansell now has new management in the form of Jonathan Shalit, who also looks after Jamelia, Teatro and former Hear'Say member Myleene Klaas.

And his new label, Universal Classics and Jazz, have given him a three-album deal and want to see a return.

'Stepping stone'

Ansell's first album features music from various movies, to which he adds his voice.

No more room, then, for the G4 fun-factor of a Bohemian Rhapsody or Life on Mars cover.

Donna Cass from Universal's marketing department says she wants to attract a new audience without alienating existing fans.

"We're going to run a mention of G4 in the first couple of weeks so people know who he is," she told the BBC News website.

"But we're only using G4 as a stepping stone. Moving forward, it will simply be Jonathan Ansell."

Ansell himself is aware of the gradual metamorphosis. "It's an interesting process," he says.

"It's important not to alienate the previous audience, but still to offer something new and different. It's a natural progression."

Peter Robinson, however, suspects it could be an uphill battle. "G4 worked quite well as a group. But is he charismatic enough on his own?" he asks.

"He could be successful if he's well marketed and put in the right place. But I think it will be hard work to get people interested."

Ansell remains confident, though. "I think everything is there," he shrugs.

"I'm in the best position possible to make it work. If it doesn't, at least we've all given it the best shot."

Jonathan Ansell's Tenor at the Movies album is released this week.

BBC NEWS (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7241483.stm)

Robbie Williams

Feb 19, '08

Robert Peter Williams (born 13 February 1974) is a Grammy Award-nominated, 15-time BRIT Award-winning English singer-songwriter. His career started as a member of the pop band Take That in 1990. He left Take That in 1995 to begin his solo career, after selling 25 million records with the group.

Since then, Robbie Williams has sold more albums in the United Kingdom than any other British solo artist in history . He has sold seventy million records worldwide. His album sales stand at over fifty-three million, with singles sales over seventeen million.

Williams entered in the The Guinness Book of World Records when he announced his World Tour for 2006, selling 1.6 million tickets in one single day. He has been the recipient of many awards, including fifteen BRIT and six ECHO awards. In 2004, he was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame, after being voted as the Greatest artist of the 1990s.

Robbie Williams is the artist that is currently featured the most times in the UK Now That's What I Call Music! series. In the first 68 Now!'s he has appeared 29 times (including 4 times with Take That). His first appearance was with Take That on Now 22 and his most recent appearance was on Now 66 with "She's Madonna".

Rick's Pigeonhole (Florida) (http://froc38.multiply.com/music/item/369/Robbie_Williams)

A nice summary (from an american), and a few facts I didn't know. :)

I like when Robbie is called a singer-songwriter. I remember him saying in a german interview that the day he is acknowledged as a singer-songwriter he can die happy.

Glastonbury rumour-mill

The beauty of Glastonbury is that every year it throws up surprises. Whether it’s Robbie Williams rocking up backstage with a car-boot full of champagne in 1995 or Chas & Dave drawing a batshit-mental, 18,000-strong crowd in 2005, it’s the random element that makes Glastonbury special. Here are some of the rumours we’ve been hearing about this year’s event.

Full article in Q4Music (http://news.q4music.com/2008/02/glastonbury_rumourmill.html)

Which Decade Is Tops For Pops? - Year 6 - the Number 6s.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/MarianneStockholm/RWMusik/RWAngels.jpg

Then again: for every bunch of fresh-faced ingenues, there must always be a counter-balancing set of somewhat over-ripe idols, their three or four years in the sun drawing to a natural close, who are facing that crucial adapt-or-die crossroads. The thick ones, the cutie-pie chancers who merely got lucky (and please don't look back up the page, you'll only embarrass them): they'll drop off our radars without us even noticing. Some will move into light entertainment in its wider sense; and others will try to pull off that riskiest of tricks, the "growing with our audience" manoeuvre.

So it was for Robbie Williams: dismissed as "the fat dancer from Take That" by his would-be role model Noel Gallagher, and floundering to such a degree that he had been reduced to playing venues the size of Nottingham Rock City on his Autumn 1997 solo tour. The debut solo album had stiffed, and the third single hadn't even gone Top Ten. Angels was the only card that Williams had left to play: a final fourth single from the album, whose atypical trad-balladry took him far away from the sort of laddish latter-day Britpop that he had been attempting to peddle.

The turning point came one Friday in December 1997, with an appearance on Chris Evans' TFI Friday. His live interview completed, a nervous, vulnerable - hell, almost humble looking Williams semi-apologetically squeezed through the crowd, made his way to the stage downstairs... and gave the best performance of his solo career to date, by a country mile. In a stroke, he had granted us the opportunity to exert one of our favourite powers: the power of redemption.

"Ah bless, Robbie's not so bad after all! Let's give him another chance!" We duly clasped the overtly sentimental Angels to our seasonally sentimental bosoms (perhaps those sleigh-bells at the start of the song were exerting a subliminal effect?), turned the former fat dancer into the biggest star of his generation (well, in the UK at least; we couldn't work miracles), and appointed Angels as our new national anthem.

Ten years on, and while Williams looks to be a washed-up spent force, his public's patience having run out at around the time of the scrappily indulgent, are-you-taking-the-piss-or-what Rudebox album, his formerly beached boy-band compatriots have spent the past eighteen months surfing their own wave of ah-bless-it's-good-to-have-them-back public redemption, with the admittedly sublime Patience having taken the place of the over-played and ultimately tiresome Angels (one funeral too many, perchance?) in our affections.

(And I am uncomfortably conscious of using that most irritating of devices, the first person plural, in order to make my point. "When DID we all fall out of love with Robbie?" "Why HAVE we all fallen back in love with Gary, Mark, Howard and Jason?" "What IS this, Troubled Diva or G2?")

Source (http://troubled-diva.com/2008_02_17_troubled-diva_archive.html#3617273855813863381)

See also here to vote http://www.purerobbie.com/showthread.php?t=17681

America's Top Pop Imports

Louis Hau, 02.26.08, 3:00 PM ET

What's the dream of every ambitious recording artist in the world? That's easy: Making it big in America.

It's not hard to understand why. Amid all the convulsive changes wracking the music industry, one of the features of the business that remains unchanged is that the U.S. is still the largest and most important market.

Sales of recorded music in the U.S. accounted for one-third of the worldwide total in 2006, the most recent year for which full-year statistics are available, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Coming in a distant second was Japan with an 18% market share, while the United Kingdom was third with a 10% share. No other country had more than a single-digit market share.

In Pictures: Americas top 10 Music Imports (http://www.forbes.com/2008/02/26/buble-winehouse-nickelback-biz-media-cx_lh_0226foreign_slide_2.html?thisSpeed=15000)

Not only does the U.S. boast the largest market, but strong sales in the states can also provide a vital springboard to commercial success elsewhere in the world, says Larry LeBlanc, a former Toronto correspondent for Billboard magazine who now pens a newsletter about the Canadian music industry.

"America is still the mecca of the music industry,'' LeBlanc says. "The U.S. is key to worldwide [sales]. Period."

So which foreign recording artists sold the most music in the U.S. last year? In terms of musical style, our top foreign music stars were all over the map--everything from the loud guitar sounds of Nickelback and Three Days Grace to the indie-rock stylings of Feist, the swing vocals of Michael Buble and the infectious R&B of Corinne Bailey Rae, Joss Stone and multiple Grammy Award-winner Amy Winehouse.

But if our list is an eclectic bunch in terms of musical genres, it was pretty homogeneous by national origin: All of the recording artists on the list were from Canada and Britain, no great surprise given the natural cultural affinities that those two countries share with the U.S.

To compile our list, we examined Nielsen SoundScan sales data for 2007 album sales and single-track download sales. Then we calculated their estimated U.S. recorded-music revenue based on pricing data from the NPD Group.

We limited our search to still-active recording artists who first established themselves in their local markets before breaking out in the U.S. That meant excluding pop stars like Rihanna and Avril Lavigne. While they hail from Barbados and Canada, respectively, both are primarily products of the American recording industry because they enjoyed their first taste of commercial success in the U.S., not in their home countries.

Do foreign recording artists have a tougher time cracking the U.S. market than a homegrown act? "It's so hard to break an artist, it almost doesn't matter where you're from,'' says Chris Castle, a music industry attorney based in Sherman Oaks, Calif. "It's very hard to break into radio. It's very hard to move units. Tours--it's very competitive."

But if a foreign music act sings in English, "the fact that they're from somewhere else can actually be a plus" in terms of marketing a band in the U.S., Castle says.

"You have a very good story to tell,'' he says.

That said, the predominance of Canadians and Brits on our list doesn't mean that any Canadian or British hit-maker will necessarily resonate with a stateside audience.

Castle points out a prominent example: Robbie Williams. A massive star in his native Britain, the ex-Take That vocalist is his nation's answer to Justin Timberlake--a former boy band singer with the charisma and singing chops to make it on his own.

And yet, despite the best efforts of his record company EMI Group, Williams has been a sales bust in the U.S. And he's hardly alone. Dance-music artists who enjoy commercial success in the U.K. and Europe also have a hard time finding a mass audience in the U.S., Castle says. These examples underscore the trickiness of trying to replicate in the U.S. the same commercial success that a recording artist has enjoyed in another country.

As for Canadian recording artists, the U.S. continues to exert a strong pull, but that pull isn't quite as strong as it used to be, LeBlanc says. Part of the reason is that scheduling American tours has become a bigger headache because of greater difficulties in procuring the necessary visas.

"All they thought about was, 'I gotta get to the U.S.,'" LeBlanc says of Canada's recording artists. "Now it's, 'Yes, I gotta get to the U.S., but I can tour Japan and England too.'"


Source. Forbes (http://www.forbes.com/business/2008/02/26/buble-winehouse-nickelback-biz-media-cx_lh_0226foreign.html)

From Holy Moly newsletter -

Candy-Flippin heck!
So much for his strike - after mooting to EMI that he would go on strike and not deliver his next (and final) album to them, Robbie Williams is currently in the studio with ex-Candy Flipper Kelvin Andrews (aka Soul Mekanik). So far they've recorded in London, LA and Dubai. That's one big picket line!

Track details of Madonna's 'Hard Candy' revealed
From ANI

London, Mar 10: The track details of Madonna's highly anticipated 11th studio album dubbed 'Hard Candy' have been revealed.

Extract from article

The fifth track is 'Miles Away,' which goes back to Madonna's new urban sound, and sixth is 'She's Not Me', which has the album's most controversial lyrics and sounds like Madge's response to Robbie Williams' track 'She's Madonna.

There comes a time....

...when everyone who cares about music has to face the realisation that they have some strongly-held liking or distaste for a piece (it might be a classical work or a pop song) that is at variance with the opinion of, ooh, just about everyone else. And the only thing to do then is to say "Sod 'em all" and (if you like something unfashionable) to play it loudly to the world. If you dislike something popular it's harder to make a snappy statement.

This thought has been suggested by my visiting Mike Atkinson's blog Troubled Diva, unfailingly stimulating as regards pop music (and other things from time to time). He's currently running a comparative assessment of hit records from the past five decades (see here (http://troubled-diva.com/labels/whichdecade08.html) for explanation). I haven't commented myself as there have been few if any sets where I've known more than two of the songs (and voting on the basis of one hearing is so Eurovision).

Mike's posts have reminded me of some forgotten gems (Judy In Disguise (With Glasses), anyone?) and some utter clunkers ("If I Had Words", which reached the apogee of embarrassment when covered by the shepherd singing to his pig in the film "Babe"). Knowing the extremes of fandom/loathing that Robbie Williams can generate, I was pleased to find Angels getting a sympathetic hearing from Mike as well as from a lot of his commenters. Yes, it's become hackneyed, but for my money it's one of the best pop songs of the past ten years. Perhaps the best example of what seems to have been Robbie's single-handed campaign for the rehabilitation of the plagal cadence in popular music.

Eine Kleine Nichtmusik (http://einekleinenichtmusik.blogspot.com/2008/02/there-comes-time.html)

Hard-Fi - I Shall Overcome

I won’t be the first blogger to point out the similarity between I Shall Overcome and Robbie Williams’ No Regrets. It’s Richard Archer’s phrasing of the chorus line “I shall oh-ver-come” that does it, but once you notice it, every subsequent listen of the song is slightly marred.

Another thing that other reviewers complain about with I Shall Overcome is the difference between this and the previous two tracks Hard-Fi released. Yes, it’s got that grim vibe to it, but I think there’s something epic in the chorus and the orchestration.


And the No Regrets connection might actually be in their favour - it gives the song something familiar, like you’ve heard it before. Anyway, I can’t be the only person wondering what Richard Archer will sing about once the band are stinking rich.

The video’s probably the weakest part - I get the boxing theme and how it links to the song, but….yawn…

Source (http://music.unrealitytv.co.uk/hard-fi-i-shall-overcome/)

Dancing With The Stars: Week 1, Part 1 (season premiere)
Posted Mar 18th 2008

Before the standard introductions, we were treated to a bonus performance by the professionals ("Let Me Entertain You," Robbie Williams). This was a much better way to start the show, and I hope they do this more often. I was curious to get a first look at newcomer Fabian Sanchez, Marlee Matlin's partner, as well. We learned that this season's crop of contestants includes the youngest contestant ever, the most "mature" contestant ever, and one of the shortest contestants in the show's history.


Extract - Full article and source here (http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/03/18/dancing-with-the-stars-week-1-part-1-season-premiere/)

Here is another of several articles on "Dancing with the stars" in which Robbie is mentioned.

Does anyone know if this this show is aired over the whole US, and if it's the original track or a live orchestra playing it? I'm just wondering if the song maybe could get any attention in the US.

Dancing With the Stars: Boys will be bores

March 17, 2008

Here we are for season six. We start off with -- what else? -- a montage of dancers falling from last season. Catch up with all the drama here. Then it's time for the pro dancers to shake their stuff to without a doubt the best Robbie Williams song ever, Let Me Entertain You.

Full article: Houston Chronicle (http://blogs.chron.com/tubular/archives/2008/03/dancing_with_th_1.html)

Music critics love albums that the public hates

Critics love albums that the public hates – and vice versa. It’s a bout between Trouts and Bats

Mark Edwards
March 9, 2008

All right, it probably won’t ever happen, but in the unlikely event that someone, one day, bets you a large amount of money that you won’t be able to identify which person in a crowd of strangers is a music journalist - without asking them directly what they do for a living - here’s how you win the bet. Go up to each person in turn and ask them to name their favourite Beatles track. The music journalist is the one who chooses Tomorrow Never Knows.

You can be sure of two things. First, nobody who doesn’t listen to music for a living will choose the final track on Revolver. An early pop gem such as I Wanna Hold Your Hand, perhaps, or a psychedelic masterpiece such as Strawberry Fields Forever, or a late-period sing-along such as Hey Jude, but not Tomorrow Never Knows. Second, the music critic has to say Tomorrow Never Knows. It’s the law. If they choose Penny Lane or Let It Be, they’ll be drummed out of the union.

Like the rich, music journalists are different. Crucially, we hear music differently. Obviously, we shouldn’t. In an ideal world, music critics would be a simple conduit between great music and the wider public. “Here you go,” we should say, “you’ll love this” - and you would love it. The truth is a little different. While there is a large amount of music that is loved by critics and embraced by the record-buying/downloading public, and a similar amount that is shunned by both, there are albums that are adored by critics, but firmly resisted by almost everyone else, and albums that sell shedloads despite being ravaged by every critic in the land. The former group is epitomised by Captain Beefheart’s Trout Mask Replica, the latter by Bat out of Hell - so let’s call them Trouts and Bats.

There are different kinds of Trouts. Some are surely just about music critics showing off. Even if you admire the artistic intent behind Metal Machine Music, would you really want to listen to it? Then there are Trouts that are genuinely wonderful works, and critics shake their heads in sorrow that more people don’t appreciate them, although we kind of understand why. Robert Wyatt typifies this group. Critics love him, but realise that his voice will strike most listeners as a bit odd on first hearing. In fact, “Wyatting” has gained currency as a term describing the act of playing a song on a pub jukebox that you know will unsettle and annoy other customers. Fortunately, as well as being a brilliant songwriter and singer, Wyatt is also a thoroughly nice chap, with a great sense of humour, and professes himself “honoured” by the association.

You might think that music critics would give up on these Trouts as lost causes, but no. We dig in our heels because we know we’re right. Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks is one of the best albums ever made; nobody much bought it, but critics never shut up about it. Eventually, 33 years later, it finally went gold. Okay, a lot of those sales will have been to music journalists replacing yet another worn-out copy, but still.

If Wyatt’s voice or Morrison’s masterpiece are far enough away from the musical mainstream to make their commercial limitations understandable, another batch of Trouts - wonderful pop music by Aimee Mann, Brendan Benson and one-non-hit-wonders Cardinal, masterful songwriting by John Hiatt or Randy Newman - seems to have all the necessary ingredients for commercial success, but never broke through beyond the “critically acclaimed” level.

In part, this is explained by the importance of image in commercial success. Even in their younger days, Hiatt and Newman didn’t carry themselves like pop stars, and while Mann gave it a go, she always looked uncomfortable in the role. Mainly, though, the discrepancy between Trouts and Bats is due to the fact that music critics are assessing music using different criteria than the rest of the world. Or, perhaps more accurately, we’re using roughly the same criteria, but giving greater weight to some of them. Critics are particularly keen on authenticity, innovation, great lyrics and - most of all - a direct and identifiable connection between the emotions of the songwriter and the finished work. We’re looking for the musical equivalent of a Jackson Pollock - it doesn’t have to be pretty, but it must be genuine. If you take a look at the list of Bats, you’ll note the almost complete absence of these qualities, in favour of attributes that critics often downweight – melody, entertainment value, immediacy, escapism, image.

Of course, these lists are merely the extremes. There is an awful lot of shared ground. If you think of some of the biggest hits of the past few years - the songs that were “everywhere”, such as Hey Ya, Crazy, Umbrella, Rehab - they tick all the boxes. Critics adored them as much as the millions who bought them. We don’t just like the “difficult” stuff - although, saying that, you really ought to find room for a little Wyatt in your life.

CRITICS’ FAVOURITES THAT THE PUBLIC HATES

1 Captain Beefheart, Trout Mask Replica
2 The Fall, Hex Enduction Hour
3 Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Tender Prey
4 The Flying Burrito Brothers, The Gilded Palace of Sin
5 Robert Wyatt, Dondestan
6 Ron Sexsmith, Other Songs
7 Lou Reed, Metal Machine Music
8 Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Don’t Stand Me Down
9 Palace Music, Viva Last Blues
10 Scott Walker, Tilt
11 Guided by Voices, Bee Thousand
12 Slint, Spiderland
13 Aimee Mann, Whatever
14 Randy Newman, Sail Away
15 Brendan Benson, Alternative to Love
16 Cardinal, Cardinal
17 Van Morrison, Astral Weeks
18 Love, Forever Changes
19 Big Star, Radio City
20 Vic Chesnutt, Is the Actor Happy?

PUBLIC FAVOURITES THAT THE CRITICS HATE

1 Meat Loaf, Bat out of Hell
2 Eagles, Hotel California
3 Norah Jones, Come Away with Me
4 James Blunt, Back to Bedlam
5 Céline Dion, Falling into You
6 Mariah Carey, Music Box
7 Shania Twain, Come on Over
8 Bon Jovi, Slippery When Wet
9 Billy Joel, Greatest Hits
10 Cher, Believe
11 Dido, No Angel
12 Lionel Richie, Can’t Slow Down
13 Ricky Martin, Ricky Martin
14 Cranberries, No Need to Argue
15 Genesis, We Can’t Dance
16 Pearl Jam, Vs
17 Supertramp, Breakfast in America
18 Simply Red, Stars
19 Robbie Williams, Swing When You’re Winning
20 Jeff Wayne, War of the Worlds

TimesOnLine (http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3492137.ece)

For American fans (and maybe international fans), the LOGO channel (the gay, lesbian, and transgender cable channel) is running two documentaries that have interviews with Robbie.

Pet Shop Boys: A Life in Pop (http://www.logoonline.com/shows/dyn/pet_shop_boys/series.jhtml) which airs a few times this weekend.

Freddie Mercury: Magic Remixed (http://www.logoonline.com/shows/dyn/freddie_mercury_magic_remixed/series.jhtml) which airs on April 3rd at 8:00 P.M.


Not sure if they have aired other places/countries but there you go :jackie:

Monastery of sound goes Universal

A group of Gregorian chanting monks are on the cusp of international fame, after being signed by one of the world's biggest music labels.

The Abbey of the Holy Cross monks, whose heavenly notes are enjoyed by Pope Benedict, have signed with London-based Universal Records, the company said today.

The record giant, home to international artists including Amy Winehouse, Bryan Adams and Eminem, said will produce the Austrian-based choir's album, which is due for worldwide distribution later this year.

The company discovered the choir, from the world's second oldest Cistercian monastery and based 15 kilometres west of Vienna, after they responded via YouTube to advertisements calling for medieval chanters.

They beat more than 100 other entries which had flooded in from all over the world from countries such as the United States, France, Italy, Ireland and Canada.

According to the monks' website, Pope Benedict made a rare visit last year to the Austrian monastery, founded in 1133 by Saint Leopold III of the House of Babenberg.

Because of the Pontiff's visit they were forced to postpone releasing their own album, Universal officials said.

The monks' spokesman, Father Karl Wallner, said they had initially responded to the advertisement for fun.

"But now it has become a very serious and positive thing for us because Gregorian Chant is the expression of our spirituality, it's how we pray," he said in a statement released through the company.

"We're not Robbie Williams or Michael Jackson, we're just a group of monks who sing every day because it's our prayer and it's our life."

- Reuters/Nielsen

ABC News (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/24/2197794.htm?)

Duran Duran back to wow thousands

Mar 25, 2008

Duran Duran is in Auckland to kick-off their world tour on Wednesday.

For thousands it is the event of the year and for one lucky fan it has been the opportunity of a lifetime.

Jacquie McGinlay never thought she would get to meet the band she has been a fan of since her teenage years.

"It's probably the most exciting moment I've ever had really. Apart from coming to New Zealand" says McGinlay.

Duran Duran were the pop phenomenon of the 1980s, selling over 70 million albums worldwide. This is their second visit to New Zealand. Their first was playing support for Robbie Williams five years ago.This time round it is pure Duran Duran.

"Usually we'd arrive at a hotel and we couldn't leave the hotel. There would be a 1000 kids outside the hotel with their faces pressed up against the windows," says Duran Duran drummer Roger Taylor.

Today those kids may be in their forties but the thrill's still the same.

"I have to pinch myself because I can't believe I've actually met them," says McGinlay.

Source (http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/1656821)

I’d Do Anything: Final 12 Oliver’s Revealed!

The final 12 aspiring Oliver contestants in BBC One’s new Saturday night talent search show, I’d Do Anything, have been chosen and will appear for the first time together next Saturday (29 March).

The boys are all hoping for a chance to play the role in the forthcoming West End revival of Oliver!

The boys are:

Alexander (11), London
Apart from becoming Oliver, Alex would like to be a barrister because he’s interested in law. He’s also a Bon Jovi fan. Alex would love to act as Oliver opposite Robbie Williams playing Fagin.


Click HERE for complete article and source (http://www.unrealitytv.co.uk/id-do-anything/id-do-anything-final-12-olivers-revealed/)

Robbie as Fagan :eek4:

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e207/kes102458/1be33cc4.jpg vs http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e207/kes102458/MY%20PICTURES/2601831-1.jpg

And Robbie as Oliver http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/froehlich/a070.gif

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/1madlady/robbaby3.jpg

He has the beard for it.

Rep to protect


The sometimes uneasy relationship between bands and brands has sparked a new outbreak of legal hostilities in the US. Alternative rock group the Smashing Pumpkins are suing their record label, claiming it used their name and music in promotional deals with Pepsi and Amazon without permission.

The group, headed by Billy Corgan, was signed to Virgin Records in the US for 17 years but yesterday claimed its only existing agreement covered the right to sell digital downloads and not the right to use the band’s image in promotional campaigns.


In a breach-of-contract lawsuit filed in Los Angeles superior court on Monday, band members said they had “worked hard for over two decades to accumulate a considerable amount of goodwill in the eyes of the public”.

Virgin’s use of the band in a promotion known as Pepsi Stuff, in conjunction with Amazon.com and PepsiCo, threatened their reputation for “artistic integrity”, band members claimed. They said they would “never grant such authority to Virgin, or any other entity”.

While some big name artists, from Michael Jackson to Robbie Williams, have willingly signed deals with soft drinks brands and mobile phone networks to front their campaigns and feature their branding on tours, others have consistently refused.

The Smashing Pumpkins, who broke up in 2000 amid stalling album sales and disputes between band members but reunited in 2006, have had a turbulent relationship with the major labels.

Despite selling millions of copies of albums such as Siamese Dream, and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, they gave their music away on the internet long before Radiohead had conceived last year’s pay-what-you-like experiment for In Rainbows. In 2000, their final album before they split, Machina II/The Friends and Enemies of Modern Music, was given away free following a dispute with Virgin.

While disputes between artists and labels are nothing new, the tension is expected to increase as the music industry looks for new revenue streams.

The Beatles famously refused to have their music used in advertising but recently Sony Publishing, which owns the rights to their back catalogue, said it would allow it for the first time.

The links between advertisers and music labels have grown in recent years as so-called “sync” licensing fees have become ever more important to help replace collapsing CD sales.

Record labels and artists have also looked to advertisers to help break new artists, particularly in territories where it is difficult to secure radio play for new groups.

Levis has a long track record of helping old and new artists into the charts, José González scored a worldwide hit with Heartbeats after it featured in a Sony advert, and Moby’s Play album famously took off only after every track was licensed to an ad agency.

Big labels, suffering as digital download sales fail to compensate for falling CD sales and the impact of piracy, are launching divisions dedicated to forging partnerships between big brands and their artists. Guy Hands, who bought EMI last year through his venture capital group Terra Firma, has identified the relationship as an important one in turning the company around.

EMI refused to comment on the lawsuit yesterday. It has owned Virgin Records since 1991, when it was sold by its founder Sir Richard Branson to help fund the expansion of his airline business.

Earlier this month, Warner Music International announced the first deal by a new division designed to exploit links between its artists and brands. Scottish singer songwriter Paolo Nutini will have a long-term relationship with Puma, which will use his song New Shoes across its global advertising campaigns.

Universal Music, the world’s biggest record label, has launched a joint venture with Sir Martin Sorrell’s global marketing giant WPP to better exploit the links between music and advertisers.


Bands and brands


The Beatles/Nike


The sportswear brand clashed with Apple Corps in 1987 when it paid Capitol Records, which held the US rights to the Beatles, to use Revolution in its advertising. Apple sued for $15m (£7.5m), but the record label argued the suit was groundless because Yoko Ono, John Lennon’s widow and a director of Apple, had agreed to the music being used. Nike stopped using the track in 1988 and in 1989 the parties reached an undisclosed out of court settlement. Ono later gave Nike permission to use Lennon’s solo track Instant Karma in another ad. This year Sony/ATV, which owns the publishing rights to the Beatles catalogue, said it would license their tracks. The first deal was with a US nappy brand to use the line All You Need is Luvs. It does not need to consult the surviving Beatles but said it felt a “moral obligation” to do so.


Robbie Williams/T-Mobile


The singer signed an 18-month deal with the phone network in 2005 in what was hailed at the time as a groundbreaking tie-up. In return for a substantial contract on top of his existing £80m record deal with EMI, Williams agreed to act as “global brand ambassador” and made exclusive live tracks available for download to its customers as well as partnering in a string of other initiatives.


Madonna/Pepsi


Before the release of Like a Prayer, Pepsi decided to use the song as part of a commercial featuring Madonna. The singer struck a deal with the soft drinks giant to sponsor her 1990 Blonde Ambition tour. But when the video to the track sparked controversy among US Christian groups for showing Madonna dancing in a field of burning crosses, Pepsi pulled the ad and ditched the sponsorship.

Source (http://mp3-realm.biz/mp3-blog/2008/03/25/rep-to-protect/)

Robbie Williams/T-Mobile


The singer signed an 18-month deal with the phone network in 2005 in what was hailed at the time as a groundbreaking tie-up. In return for a substantial contract on top of his existing £80m record deal with EMI, Williams agreed to act as “global brand ambassador” and made exclusive live tracks available for download to its customers as well as partnering in a string of other initiatives.


Did I miss something? I am sure I only have a couple of live tracks (one of those was the Angels from "my" night with Robbie :D)

Does anyone know of any other live tracks that were available to customers only?

Did I miss something? I am sure I only have a couple of live tracks (one of those was the Angels from "my" night with Robbie :D)

Does anyone know of any other live tracks that were available to customers only?
I'm not sure, but wasn't Rudebox also offered as a live track? Or maybe Advertising space? I don't have that phone though, so I may remember it wrong.

Extract and source here (http://www.theage.com.au/news/music/strongmusicstrong-is-now-finally-the-time-for-roisin-murphy/2008/03/26/1206207193474.html)

EMI had snapped Murphy up because of her charisma live, saying they thought of her as a potential female Robbie Williams. But really, Murphy is an altogether different creature - capricious, vulnerable and flamboyant, given to wearing outlandish costumes on stage and injuring herself in the line of duty (like in Moscow late last year, where she fell and hit her head while singing, gouging a large hole above her eyebrow that needed plastic surgery to prevent scarring).

Boyband solo careers: Best and worst

Tuesday, April 8 2008
By Alex Fletcher, Entertainment Reporter

Boybands have always provided us with that perfect combination of slick dance routines, eye candy and unbeatable good-time pop - with chart-topping results. Unfortunately success breeds egos, which in turn spawns solo careers, which, more often than not, ends in disaster. For some strange reason the cute one with the curtains is never as popular when the cool one with the dreadlocks isn't standing next to him! With AJ from the Backstreet Boys becoming the latest boybander to gun for solo glory, we recall the best and worst solo efforts in boyband history.

The Winners

Ronan Keating from Boyzone
Keating's drippy ballads are as exciting as a night playing Bridge with your granny, but it's hard to mock a man who's bagged two number one albums and scored a genuine smash with 'When You Say Nothing At All'.

Robbie Williams from Take That
The "fat dancer from Take That" may be more irritating than a severe case of piles, but with six number ones, 12 Brits and 70 million album sales to his name, you can't deny the bloke's done well for himself.

Simon Webbe from Blue
The quiet one from Blue surprised us all by releasing a pair of dignified and pretty decent soul-cum-R&B albums in Grace and Sanctuary. Bandmate Lee Ryan's abysmal efforts paled into insignificance.

Justin Timberlake from 'N Sync
The nerdy one from 'N Sync morphed into the coolest popstar on the planet when he enlisted The Neptunes and Timbaland to work on his global hit debut Justified.

Michael Jackon from The Jackson 5
After perfect pop smashes like 'ABC', 'Blame It On The Boogie' and 'I Want You Back', it looked like the only way was down for The Jackson 5. Michael, the youngest member, proved otherwise when he went on to become the biggest popstar on the planet

The Losers

Abs from 5ive
While 5ive can lay claim to three number one singles including the half decent 'Keep On Movin', Abs Breen's stab at a solo career was comically short-lived. With only one horrendously-titled album (Abstract Theory) and a couple of stinking singles under his belt, he wisely decided to call it a day.

Mark Owen from Take That
Forget about Gary's Elton John-aping piano ballads, it was little Mark who offered the most disappointing TT solo career. His cheeky smile and pert bum just weren't enough to get any of his three albums inside the top 30.

Brian Harvey from East 17
There was a very brief moment in the '90s when Brian Harvey was considered a "cool" and "credible" artist. His solo venture spawned one dreadful album called Solo, an LP that featured such masterpieces as 'Loving You (Ole, Ole, Ole)' and 'Straight Up (No Bends)'

Brian McFadden from Westlife
McFadden's bizarre belief that people wanted to see him move away from Westlife and begin a career as a credible indie artist couldn't have been further from the truth. While the angelic Irish lads kept the number ones coming, McFadden's solo LP stumbled at a lowly number 24.

Matt Willis from Busted
Despite having a few decent-to-middling tunes to his name with 'Don't Let It Go To Waste' and 'Up All Night', Matt Willis failed to shed his "ugly one from Busted" tag. Why? Because he always seemed to be trying that bit too hard to become the next Robbie.

Do you agree with our list? Have we missed any truly dreadful boyband solo careers? Just hit the usual button to have your say.

Digital Spy (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a93287/boyband-solo-careers-best-and-worst.html)

Extract - Full article and source here (http://iccannock.icnetwork.co.uk/tm_headline=the-big-ballet-prince-of-wales-theatre%26method=full%26objectid=20760789%26siteid =94950-name_page.html#story_continue)

The Big Ballet@Prince of Wales Theatre

Apr 14 2008

The second-half of the show is contemporary based and is where the real 'belly laughs' take place, the whole thing reeks of Eurovision as the dancers are joined by some thinner male colleagues for some frivolous cavorting to a mix of foreign music and the likes of Robbie Williams and Tom Jones.

Wackaday creator Timmy said: "Mark played the brilliant Abominable No Man in our series of Timmy Towers shows for CITV. He brought the show to life with his great sense of fun and everyone who worked with him or watched him will miss him dreadfully.

"Mark was not always aware of all his talents. He worried about singing - but his outstanding rendition of Robbie Williams' Let me Entertain you will stand as a testament to that huge talent.

"Mark always entertained us and we are deeply saddened by this tragedy."

Full article & source here (http://www.thisislocallondon.com/whereilive/localheadlines/display.var.2196013.0.timmy_mallett_shocked_by_dea th_of_close_friend_speight.php)

http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/traurig/a055.gif Mark http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/traurig/a045.gif

Extract from article

Obviously, it isn’t unusual for an act to find big-time success overseas before they do in the States, or if they do in the States. Robbie Williams is fuckin’ Elvis in the U.K. for cryin’ out loud, and the Backstreet Boys were stars in Germany long before they became the daydreams of every teenage girl in America. Nobody feels sorry for Robbie Williams, but you can’t help feel Billy Talent are getting the shaft when you see them playing in front of seas of people in Europe.

Full article and source here (http://illinoisentertainer.com/2008/04/16/billy-talent-preview/print/)

Extract from interview, full article and source here (http://www.elpasotimes.com/entertainment/ci_8961805)

"I think and live in Spanish, and I want to be honest," he said. "I prefer to play guitar in English and sing in Spanish. It's nothing against my friends who sing in English, but Madonna or Robbie Williams singing in Spanish is not cool."

Extract from article:

RP-style ‘Hell Week’

By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
04/20/2008

MANILA, Philippines - It was drama as usual on GMA 7’s “Pinoy Idol,” which held a series of nerve-wracking eliminations this week. On “American Idol,” this round (usually held in Hollywood) is called “Hell Week.”

A male contestant cried onstage after singing a Robbie Williams rock ballad that reminded him of his mom in Iloilo. All the drama took its toll on the contestants. Another male aspirant kept shaking after his solo performance.

Full article (http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyleexclusives/lifestyleexclusives/view/20080420-131510/RP-style-Hell-Week)

'SingStar' (PS3) Finally Gets North American Release Date
Posted on Friday, April 25, 2008

Packed with new features, for the first time ever SingStar lets you personalize your play lists by downloading the songs of your choice – so you can sing along to what you want, when you want it. Buried in the announcement that the PlayStation Experience will return to the Rock Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival is the fact that North America will get SingStar May 20th.

SingStar PS3 takes the successful interactive singing experience established with the multi-million selling global PS2 franchise to the next level with personalization and community taking center stage. SingStar PS3 allows you access to a catalog of hundreds of downloadable songs featuring the real artists and videos, via the PS3 online SingStore. Become a global star as you share your SingStar experiences with friends and the online SingStar community via captured video, audio and photos. A perfect addition to the social gaming genre, SingStar will revolutionize the way you spend time with friends and family.

Tracklist :

Blink 182 - All The Small Things
Blur - Coffee & TV
Britney Spears - Toxic
Coldplay - Fix You
Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc.
Gwen Stefani - Cool
Junior Senior - Move Your Feet
Macy Gray - I Try
Musical Youth - Pass The Dutchie
Ne-Yo - So Sick
Orson - No Tomorrow
OutKast - Hey Ya
Primal Scream - Movin' On Up
Pussycat Dolls - Beep
Radiohead - No Surprises
Razorlight - America
REM - Losing My Religion
Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman - Something Stupid
Scissor Sisters - I Don't Feel Like Dancing
Supergrass - Alright
The Automatic - Monster
The Cardigans - Lovefool
The Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger
The Killers - Mr Brightside
The Stone Roses - She Bangs The Drums
The Zutons - Valerie
Twisted Sister - We're Not Gonna Take It
U2 - Beautiful Day
Weezer - Buddy Holly
Wolfmother - Love Train
Features :

A true interactive singing experience, where everyone is a star as they sing along with their favorite artists to the authentic videos of chart-topping tracks.

With the SingStore feature, download and purchase hundreds of songs and videos from across multiple genres to build your ideal SingStar playlist. You pick the songs and create your own personalized SingStar party collection!
Exclusively on PS3, experience My SingStar Online, where you can share your personal SingStar performances and experiences by uploading your own photos and videos created from within the game. Meet friends, view and rate videos created by others within the SingStar online community.
Utilizing the Blu-ray disc and PS3’s high-definition support, view select videos in full HD.
Perform solo-style or challenge friends and family to a sing-off with multiplayer gameplay.
PLAYSTATION Eye camera compatible, allowing players to capture and share their performances, watch themselves performing as the main act and record special moments in the spotlight for playback.
Multiple difficulty levels and selectable song lengths provide customized gameplay for all-ages and musical abilities.
Avaialble in Europe since late 2007, SingStar PS3 will launch in North America May 20, 2008.

Source (http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=51656)

I love Singstar, I play it all the time! I can't sing for my life, I never hit one note, and my kids and husband always try to escape the house when I'm playing. But I became singstar anyway after 1000 of goes at Kids and Let me Entertain you.

'Stunning' Alex set for semi-finals

fifth semi-final place on BBC talent show I'd Do Anything was awarded to Alexander. The 11-year-old, from London, got through after a stunning performance of It's a Hard Knock Life from Annie.

Alex will be competing for the chance to win the title role in Cameron Mackintosh's new West End production of Oliver.

Apart from landing the title role, Alex says he would like to be a barrister because he's interested in law.

And Bon Jovi fan Alex said he would love to win the show as he would love to play Oliver opposite Robbie Williams playing Fagin.


Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2008, All Rights Reserved.

Monthly Music Post: May
Apr. 28th, 2008 at 9:23 PM

Alright, so I've wanted to start doing these, because I like music a lot. And since I discovered muxtape which lets me up stuff for streaming, I like this very much. The interface is spare and nice and you may want to make sure that your headphones/speakers are down at first because I'm not sure how loud it'll be and it doesn't have volume control. Also, since I can't seem to be doing anything productive at all either, I figured I'd write up stuff to go with it. I'd like to for every month, but you never know.

So this month's theme, since it's May (well, in a few days) and I like playing with the idea of May/December is lost along the way: angst for those with some years under their belts. Yes, I like irony.


1. Robbie Williams - Road to Mandalay
My theme song for all the old people I like to write about, certain ones Veld more than most. The type of story I could never get tired of writing about; imperfect, occasionally sorrowful, but ultimately pretty balanced and most of all accepting. My favorite part of this song is how the melody is in direct contrast to the lyrics a lot of the time. And I have to admit for the tenorish guys all over the place in music these days, I have always loved Robbie's voice.

Source and complete list of songs. (http://venefica-aura.livejournal.com/210457.html)

Extract from article:

The personification of a very powerful woman...

Apr 26 2008 by Victoria Richards, Western Mail

JAYNE Macgregor, who also turned 50 in January, lives in Porthcawl and says she has followed the many different phases of Madonna’s career avidly.

“I’ve bought her records,” she said. “I became aware of her in my twenties. I can remember her doing Material Girl and I like the fact that she continues to reinvent herself and personifies a very powerful woman. In a way, she’s like Robbie Williams – he doesn’t fit into what you would expect him to, he falls into lots of different categories.

Full article in IcWales (http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/feature-news/2008/04/26/the-personification-of-a-very-powerful-woman-91466-20815656/)

Extract

Few artists achieve James Blunt's level of success. The singer-songwriter's 2004 debut album, Back To Bedlam, with the hit You're Beautiful, has sold a staggering 14 million copies worldwide. Yet still fewer artists with this success have attracted such widespread criticism. The music press has been ruthless. Bedlam was, according to Britain's New Musical Express, "the worst album of the year".

And, perhaps fuelled by a heightened form of tall poppy syndrome, his image has received numerous barrages in Britain. He has, according to the gossip mags, an ego the size of a dirigible, is a toffee-nosed prat with a super-posh accent and his self-proclaimed sexual prowess is somewhere between Robbie Williams and Casanova. Some have taken umbrage that he was educated at Harrow, just one step down from Eton, where princes Harry and William were schooled.


Full artice and source here (http://www.smh.com.au/news/gig-reviews/is-he-the-most-contentious-man-inmusic/2008/05/01/1209235040634.html)

Just came over this in a danish newspaper. Rob's stage fall in Leeds has been voted the best stage fall. And I agree, it was a great little unexpected part of the concert (which is always a good thing!) and the way he carried it off was exceptional and shows what a great showman he is. I just hope he didn't hurt himself so much.

http://ekstrabladet.dk/musik/intlmusiknyt/article1001785.ece

Linfield double is sweet music to DJ ears

Monday, May 05, 2008

Ususally it's the Robbie Williams hit 'Rock DJ' that gets Linfield manager David Jeffrey strutting his stuff after seeing his team win a trophy.

He boogied on the Windsor Park pitch when the team completed the Grand Slam by beating Glentoran in the Irish Cup final two years ago.

Earlier this season after winning the CIS Insurance Cup against Crusaders he couldn't resist a repeat when the same tune was played over the PA system.

Despite winning the cup again on Saturday thanks to a 2-1 victory over Coleraine to complete a third successive double, 'I don't feel like dancing' from the Scissor Sisters would have been more appropriate.

That's because any Blues fans waiting for Jeffrey to show his moves and throw some shapes were sadly disappointed.

And that celebration method now appears to have been shelved forever.

"I decided the last time I did it that it would be the last time," said Jeffrey.

"It certainly was nice and enjoyable.

"The first time I did it it was very spontaneous. The second time maybe it was more expected, but this time it was more about the players and I left the pitch to go and see my Mum and Dad."

On thing's for sure though, The Rolling Stones track 'I can't get no satisfaction' isn't going to be on Jeffrey's play-list as he is in contrast to Mick Jagger.

Full article in Belfast Telegraph (http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk:80/sport/football/local/article3669317.ece)

This week, Radio 1's Rock Show brings you a whole host of tasty treats including the Mauler from Alkaline Trio and four live tracks from Maida Vale by Candian rockers, Cursed. We also have Creature Feature tracks from ***** Magnet and Belphegor.

Guilty Pleasures Special:

Gay For Johnny Depp
Robbie Williams / Kylie Minogue / Slayer / Christopher Cross – ‘Arthur’s Theme’ (Warner)
Gay For Johnny Depp – ‘Cumpassion’ (Captains Of Industry


Source (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/rockshow/)

That all changed over the past two years. While the band was taking a break, Jones and The Dap Kings worked on a variety of side projects, including recording and touring with British sensation Amy Winehouse, working with producer Mark Ronson, guesting on tracks by Robbie Williams and performing with Lou Reed.

Full article and source (http://www.pollstar.com/news/viewnews.pl?NewsID=10110)

Button Up - May 8, 2008

May 8, 2008
By Lara de Matos

Pick Of The Day
American Idol
M-Net Series, 7 pm
****

His small stature and oodles of body hair means Andrew Lloyd Webber could more likely be mistaken for a creature out of a JRR Tolkien novel, than the man responsible for making musical theatre what it is today.

But it's thanks to his creative genius that the world was introduced (or subjected to, as some contemporary theatre practitioners might readily refer to it) to enduring classics like Cats, Evita and Phantom of the Opera.

Granted, Webber - pardon, Lord Webber's preferred form of entertainment is fast becoming out-dated. Nevertheless, as even the likes of Robbie Williams (who trained in operatic technique before taking the plunge into pop music) can confirm, a spot of classical training will stand every aspiring singer in good stead.

Enter the six finalists on the latest season of American Idol …

In Thursday night's challenge, David (Cook), Jason, Brooke, Carly, Syesha and David (Archuleta) put their vocal chords to the true test, as they prepare to tackle some of Webber's most memorable tunes.

And just to add to the pressure inside that cooker, the boys and gals will have none other than the Lord himself guiding them along their merry way.

Source (http://www.tonight.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4392156&fSectionId=434&fSetId=251)

May 9, 2008

Robbie Williams had made five times as much money from his deal with T-mobile Sony Ericsson in one year than he had from his record label

Fascinating stuff from David Cushman's Blog (http://fasterfuture.blogspot.com/2008/05/mem-cannes-why-robbie-williams-loves.html) ..

The mobile part in this mix? Well it interested me that Tim revealed Robbie Williams had made five times as much money from his deal with T-mobile Sony Ericsson in one year than he had from his record label. He made most of all from touring (the because effect in full effect!)


Interesting also that Sony Ericsson spent six times as much promoting Robbie's latest album in Australia than EMI did.


Source (http://opengardensblog.futuretext.com/archives/2008/05/robbie_williams.html)

Davis Cushman's blog contains the full article. Link above in green

Amazing but a sad statement about EMI

well - we knew there was a serious problem with EMI now we know the scale of it...

Any wonder he doesn't want to give them his work anymore.

May 9, 2008

Robbie Williams had made five times as much money from his deal with T-mobile Sony Ericsson in one year than he had from his record label

Fascinating stuff from David Cushman's Blog (http://fasterfuture.blogspot.com/2008/05/mem-cannes-why-robbie-williams-loves.html) ..

The mobile part in this mix? Well it interested me that Tim revealed Robbie Williams had made five times as much money from his deal with T-mobile Sony Ericsson in one year than he had from his record label. He made most of all from touring (the because effect in full effect!)


Interesting also that Sony Ericsson spent six times as much promoting Robbie's latest album in Australia than EMI did.


Source (http://opengardensblog.futuretext.com/archives/2008/05/robbie_williams.html)

Davis Cushman's blog contains the full article. Link above in green

:eek4: WOW

Classic swing show on your doorstep

Friday 9th May 2008

The sound of swing arrives in Evesham this month and your Worcester News is giving away tickets.

On Thursday, May 25, Swing n' Sinatra comes to the Evesham Arts Centre for one night only. Accomplished musican Simone Smith - former member of the renowned Ivy Benson and her All Girls Orchestra - will be joined by her husband Chris and perform a host of classic big band numbers.

The couple will be paying tribute to the legendary Frank Sinatra, as well as Glenn Miller and Jools Holland.

Mrs Smith, who sings and plays lead alto saxophone, has an impressive resume, having played with Paul Weller and John Williams.

For Mr Smith, bandleader, pianist and trumpet player, music runs in the family - his father Chris Smith Sr played trombone with Sinatra on his European tours.

"Its great that there's a strong resurgence in jazz and swing music," he said.

"It's enjoyed by all generations, mainly thanks to artists such as Robbie Williams and Jamie Cullum and we're looking forward to bringing some classic swing music back to Evesham."

We have three pairs of tickets to Swing n' Sinatra up for grabs. To be in with a chance of winning, answer the following question - Which original Rat Pack member sang Mr Bojangles?

Send answers to Lauren Rogers, Worcester News Editorial, Berrow House, Hylton Road, Worcester, WR2 5JX or e-mail lr@worcesternews.co.uk. You can also text - start your message with SWING then send to 80360. Messages cost 25p plus your normal operator text charge. The competition closes on Friday, May 16.

For tickets, call the Arts Centre box office on 01386 442348 or visit www.eveshamboxoffice.co.uk.

Worcester News (http://www.worcesternews.co.uk:80/whatson/wnleisuremusic/display.var.2258839.0.classic_swing_show_on_your_d oorstep.php)

Review: Westlife at Vector Arena

Monday May 12, 2008
By Joanna Hunkin

Just when it seemed Westlife couldn't get any cheesier, having ripped open their sparkly zip up jumpsuits and converted them into Matrix-like trench coats, the Irish quartet stepped it up a notch.

After the first of several quick costume changes, the manband proved they really do have no shame, emerging to the opening bars of Justin Timberlake's Sexy Back. The song was the start of a five-song covers set in which tracks by Timberlake, The Jackson 5, Kool and the Gang, Leonard Cohen and Robbie Williams were given a camp karaoke treatment.

As the crowd went wild, jumping enthusiastically to the chorus of Williams' Let Me Entertain You, you couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for the band, which had the despondent air of a tribute band, reduced to churning out other people's hits.

Full article in NZ Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1501119/story.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10509475)

Music 'can enhance wine taste'

Playing a certain type of music can enhance the way wine tastes, research by psychologists suggests.


MUSIC RECOMMENDATIONS
Cabernet Sauvignon: All Along The Watchtower (Jimi Hendrix), Honky Tonk Woman (Rolling Stones), Live And Let Die (Paul McCartney and Wings), Won't Get Fooled Again (The Who)
Chardonnay: Atomic (Blondie), Rock DJ (Robbie Williams), What's Love Got To Do With It (Tina Turner), Spinning Around (Kylie Minogue)
Syrah: Nessun Dorma (Puccini), Orinoco Flow (Enya), Chariots Of Fire (Vangelis), Canon (Johann Pachelbel)
Merlot: Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay (Otis Redding), Easy (Lionel Ritchie), Over The Rainbow (Eva Cassidy), Heartbeats (Jose Gonzalez)
Source: Montes wines

Full article & source here (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7400109.stm)

On Track: The politics of melancholy
Thursday May 15, 2008
By William Dart

The six viol players of Fretwork are not the sort to lock themselves in a Renaissance closet; in fact, they are not afraid to venture boldly into the crossover lane. The sextet turns up on the soundtrack to The Da Vinci Code and has even played alongside Robbie Williams.


Full article & Source (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1501119/story.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10510166&ref=rss)

Not since Nicole Kidman's crooning with Robbie Williams on his 2001 swing album has the musical excursion of a Hollywood actress raised so many eyebrows. We're used to Keanu Reeves or Johnny Depp strapping on a guitar to prove that despite a job that mostly involves dressing up and wearing make-up, they are really hard-rocking guys at heart.

Scarlett Johansson - Anywhere I Lay My Head: Pop CDs of the week (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/05/17/bmpopcdwk117.xml)

Arezzo or bust

Trip Date: May 17 '08

Florence is a small city that packs a punch. Everywhere you turn around there's amazing art work or architecture. You can wonder from one great work to another, without even stepping into a museum or a church...which, I admit, I have yet to do. My favorite so far is the view from the Piazza Michaelangelo on the other side of the Arno. A close second is the pair of street singers that perform Robbie Williams and Simon and Garfunkel songs every Friday and Saturday night by the Uffizi. Nothing beats a cover of "Better Man" by disheleved street performers standing under a hulking copy of Michaelangelo's David. I've seen them twice now...

Full travel blog (http://realtravel.com/florence-journals-j6999405.html)

Shayne Ward aims to entertain with uptempo tour

17 May 2008

On June 1, Shayne will have a night off from his own tour, but will head over to Dublin's Croke Park to to support Westlife.

He's also planning to fulfil a bit of a fantasy.

"I remember seeing this photo of Robbie Williams taken from behind him while he was on stage at Croke Park," he says. "You can see him and the thousands of people watching him."

"I thought, 'Wouldn't it be great to have one of those taken' so I think I'm actually more excited about getting a similar photo taken than the actual gig itself!"

Full article in The Sentinel (http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=158338&command=displayContent&sourceNode=158321&contentPK=20644825&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch)

Starsailor's 4th album coming soon!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Well it’s been a long time in the making but we have finally finished recording our 4th album (hope I haven't spoken too soon!) It’s certainly been an adventure! We have been to 4 studios (Real World, The Doghouse, Sofa Sound and Eastcote) and a whole cast of characters have been involved getting to this point. Undoubtedly the two people who have put the most effort in the studio (apart from the band) are Producer Steve Osborne and Engineer Dan Austin (Who is also working with Doves at the same time! No wonder he looks knackered!). Our A&R man Chris Briggs has been in frequently regaling us with tales of his life in rock n roll (Chris has been working at EMI for years. What he doesn’t know about The Waterboys, Robbie Williams, Jethro Tull and Tottenham Hotspur is not worth knowing!)

Full blog (http://britishrockisalwaystop.blogspot.com:80/2007/11/starsailors-4th-album-coming-soon.html)

Pigeon Detectives take Robbie's lead

The Pigeon Detectives have revealed a secret desire to record a Robbie Williams-style swing album.

Former Take That man Robbie recorded Swing When Your Winning, his LP of swing covers, in 2001.

Drummer Jimmi Naylor told Channel 4: "I'd like us to do a swing album like Robbie Williams did. Westlife did it as well.

Vocalist Matt Bowman added: "Well, there you go, we should definitely do it. And we'd get to dress really sharp."

This Is An Emergency, TPD's latest single, is at No 14 in the UK singles chart.

Ananova (http://www.ananova.com/entertainment/story/sm_2863308.html?menu=entertainment.music)

'This Is Not London'
May 23, 2008

Assuming you'll be able to sleep in on Monday, you should check out Felt's Sunday night London-themed Memorial Day party, "This Is Not London," just in case it's so realistic that you forget where you are. It's five DJs, three floors, and the club promises you'll hear some good Britpop. We're hoping that means some quality Robbie Williams. 10 p.m. $5. Felt, 533 Washington St. 617-350-5555. feltboston.com

Source (http://www.boston.com/ae/events/articles/2008/05/23/this_is_not_london/)

Top 10 Boy Bands

By Bill Lamb

Since the manufacturing of the Monkees in the late '60s, all-male vocal groups or 'boy bands' have been a permanent part of the pop music landscape. Here are the top 10 of all time listed in alphabetical order.

1. B2K
Although the group lasted for only a few short years, B2K were a classic boy band with a definite hip hop slant. They recorded 2 very successful albums plus the soundtrack to the film You Got Served before a sudden break up in 2004. One group member, Omarion, has gone on to solo success in the aftermath of the breakup.

2. Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys were acknowledged leaders, along with Britney Spears, of the sweeping popularity of teen pop in the late '90s. The group came together in 1993 in Orlando, Florida with the assistance of producer Lou Pearlman. The Backstreet Boys achieved tremendous success between 1997 and 2001. After a four-year hiatus, the Backstreet Boys returned with the album Never Gone in 2005.

3. Boyzone
Boyzone was put together by Irish theatrical entrepreneur Louis Walsh in 1994 from over 300 auditioning hopefuls. The group became one of the most successful Irish recording acts on the British charts over the next 5 years. In 2000 the band decided to pursue solo projects.

4. BoyzIIMen
BoyzIIMen was formed in Philadelphia in 1988 at the Philadelphia High School Of the Creative and Performing Arts as Unique Attraction. After catching the attention of Bell Biv Devoe (a group consisting of 3 former New Edition members) at a conert in 1989, the group was re-christened BoyzIIMen and entered the studio to record their first album. Since that time the group have become the biggest selling r&b group of all time.

5. Monkees
Formed by television producers Bert Schneider and Bob Rafelson in 1965, the Monkees must be considered pioneers among boy bands. The four members were selected to perform catchy pop tunes while also acting in a television series. Late in their career as a group the members took control of most of the artistic direction of their music, but by then their popularity was fading. The group disbanded in 1970.

6. New Edition
New Edition was formed in Boston in 1978 while the first 3 members were still in elementary school. The group performed frequently at local events and added 2 new members before being discovered by producer/songwriter Maurice Starr. He released their first single "Candy Girl" in 1983, and the group quickly became pop stars. After breakup, 3 members formed Bell Biv Devoe, and Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant had successful solo careers.

7. New Kids On the Block
New Kids On the Block were a second project by Maurice Starr after his success with New Edition (see above). The group was formed in Boston in 1986 and had a strong run of hits between 1988 and 1990. The group disbanded by 1994 and the members tried solo careers with little success.

8. *NSYNC
Like Britney Spears, *NSYNC members Justin Timberlake and JC Chasez had their first significant singing roles as members of the New Mickey Mouse Club. In 1996, they formed *NSYNC in Orlando, Florida with three additional members. By 1998, they had their first top 10 pop hit and spent the next four years frequently near the top of the charts. The group have not released an album since 2001's Celebrity, while Timberlake and Chasez have had success as solo artists.

9. Take That
Take That, who became the biggest selling pop group in the U.K. since the Beatles, were initially formed as a trio called The Cutest Rush. Producer and manager Nigel Martin Smith added two more members to the group in 1990, and they became Take That. After a run of chart-topping hits in the U.K., the group began to fray in 1995 just as they hit the U.S. top 10 for the first time. In 1996, the group disbanded with member Robbie Williams pursuing a highly successful solo career.

10. Westlife
Westlife are a second project by Boyzone manager Louis Walsh. Co-managed by Boyzone member Ronan Keating, the group's first single debuted at #1 on the British charts in 1999. While making regular appearances at the top of the charts in the U.K., the group have yet to reach similar success in the U.S.

Source (http://top40.about.com/od/top10lists/tp/boyband10.htm)

Punchy tunes incite pub brawls

From The Sunday Times May 25, 2008
Stuart MacDonald

It wasn’t me, Your Honour; it was the music. When fighting drunks appear before magistrates, they have another excuse for their behaviour: the landlord’s playlist.

An academic study has identified the music that is most likely to trigger violence in Britain’s pubs and nightclubs, and the songs most likely to promote harmony.

Robbie Williams, best known for his anthem Angels, leads the list of artists whose hits can calm drunken revellers. By contrast, the guitar riffs of songs such as the Rolling Stones’ Street Fighting Man and heavy basslines of hip-hop tracks were most likely to trigger a bar brawl.

The study, funded by the NHS, claims to provide the first evidence of a link between music and pub violence.

Researchers from Glasgow University, who monitored the playlists and outbreaks of fighting at eight pubs and bars in Glasgow city centre, found that loud rock and rap music encouraged customers to drink more, increasing loutish behaviour that often spilt over into violence. The pounding rhythms also made it difficult for customers to hear one another, causing misunderstandings.

Songs such as (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life from the Dirty Dancing film were found to encourage provocative dancing by women, which led to confrontations when they were propositioned by men.

Rock music such as AC/DC’s Highway to Hell and the Rolling Stones’ Brown Sugar was found to encourage macho posturing and aggressive behaviour among male customers.

However, researchers also discovered that Sonny and Cher’s I Got You Babe and Williams’s hits could be used to defuse potential disputes. Easy listening and “slushy” romantic songs were sometimes used to deter gangs of young men from entering pubs.

JD Wetherspoon, one of Britain’s biggest pub chains, said: “We avoid playing R&B and rap music in our pubs. Our research shows that the bassline can be quite aggressive and could potentially cause problems.”

Times Online (http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3999123.ece)

Top 100 Best Selling Records Of The 21st Century In The UK So Far

Any surprises in this list ???

1. Will Young - Evergreen/Anything Is Possible (1,789 million)
2. Gareth Gates - Unchained Melody (1,338 million)
3. Tony Christie - Is This The Way To Amarillo (1,182 million)
4. Shaggy - It Wasn't Me (1,179 million)
5. Band Aid 20 - Do They Know It's Christmas (1,138 million)
6. Kylie Minogue - Can't Get You Out Of My Head (1,084 million)
7. Shayne Ward - That's My Goal (1,081 million)
8. Hear'Say - Pure & Simple (1,079 million)
9. Bob The Builder - Can We Fix It (1,009 million)
10. Atomic Kitten - Whole Again (956,000)
11. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy (926,000)
12. Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love (880,000)
13. Leona Lewis - A Moment Like This (825,000)
14. DJ Otzi - Hey Baby (776,000)
15. Enrique Iglesias - Hero (768,000)
16. Westlife - Uptown Girl (756,000)
17. Eminem ft Dido - Stan (731,000)
18. S Club 7 - Don't Stop Moving (731,00)
19. All Saints - Pure Shores (709,000)
20. Baha Men - Who Let The Dogs Out (707,000)
21. Nelly & Kelly Rowland - Dilemma (706,00)
22. Sonique - Feels So Good (645,000)
23. Elvis vs JXL - A Little Less Conversation (636,00)
24. Black Eyed Peas - Where Is The Love (628,000)
25. S Club 7 - Never Had A Dream Come True (616,000)
26. Robbie Williams - Rock DJ (612,000)
27. Shakira - Whenever Wherever (606,00)
28. Girls Aloud - Sound Of The Underground (596,000)
29. James Blunt - You're Beautiful (592,000)
30. Shaggy -Angel (589,000)
31. Las Ketchup - Ketchup Song (583,000)
32. Gareth Gates -Anyone Of Us (Stupid Mistake) (575,000)
33. Spiller ft Sophie Ellis-Bextor -Groovejet (Why Does It Feel So Good) (573,000)
34. Eamon - I Don't Want U Back (569,00)
35. Gary Jules -Mad World (569,000)
36. Rihanna - Umbrella (563,000)
37. Shakira - Hips Don't Lie (561,000)
38. Leann Rimes - Can't Fight The Moonlight (560,000)
39. Gareth Gates - Spirit In The Sky (558,000)
40. Wheatus - Teenage Dirtbag (552,000)
41. Crazy Frog - Axel F (550,000)
42. Daniel Bedingfield - Gott Get Thru This (529,000)
43. Eminem - Without Me (523,000)
44. Mika - Grace Kelly (522,000)
45. Afroman - Because I Got High (521,000)
46. Eminem - Lose Yourself (513,000)
47. Will Young - Leave Right Now (510,000)
48. Madonna - Hung Up (506,000)
49. R Kelly - Ignition (Remix) (505,000)
50. Liberty X - Just A Little (501,000)
51. Scissor Sisters - I Don't Feel Like Dancin (495,000)
52. Daniel Bedingfield - If You're Not The One (494,000)
53. Ronan Keating - If Tomorrow Never Comes (493,000)
54. Craig David - Fill Me In (490,000)
55. Take That - Patience (488,000)
56. S Club 7 - Reach (483,000 - 488,000)
57. Pussycat Dolls ft Busta Rhymes - Don't Cha (483,000)
58. Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood (477,000)
59. DJ Pied Piper & The M.O.C. - Do You Really Like It? (476,000)
60. Leon Jackson - When You Believe (472,000)
61. Kelly and Ozzy Osbourne - Changes (471,000)
62. Take That - Rule The World (465,000)
63. Moulin Rouge - Lady Marmalade (464,000)
64. Gabrielle - Rise (458,000)
65. Eminem - The Real Slim Shady (456,000)
66. Modjo - Lady (455,000)
67. Nizlopi - JCB Song (449,000)
68. DJ Sammy - Heaven (446,000)
69. Mark Ronson ft Amy Winehouse - Valerie (445,000)
70. Britney Spears - Oops!...I Did It Again (439,000)
71. Destiny's Child - Independent Women (437,000)
72. Geri Halliwell - It's Raining Men (424,000)
73. Nickelback - How You Remind Me (423,000)
74. Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars (421,000)
75. Craig David - 7 Days (419,000)
76. Nickelback - Rockstar (412,000)
77. Bloodhound Gang - Bad Touch (410,000)
78. Atomic Kitten - The Tide Is High (409,000)
79. Timbaland presents OneRepublic - Apologize (407,000)
80. Holly Valance - Kiss Kiss (405,000)
81. Eric Prydz - Call On Me (404,000)
82. Scooter - The Logical Song (404,000)
83. McFly - All About You (403,000)
84. Melanie C ft. Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes - Never Be The Same Again (402,000)
85. Sugababes - About You Now (401,000)
86. Madonna - Music (399,000)
87. Sugababes - Push The Button (395,000)
88. True Steppers ft. Dane Bowers & Victoria Beckham - Out Of Your Mind (394,000)
89. Ronan Keating - Life Is A Rollercoaster (391,000)
90. Westlife - What Makes A Man (390,000)
91. Akon - Lonely (388,000)
92. Westlife - You Raise Me Up (387,000)
93. Atomic Kitten - Eternal Flame (385,000)
94. S Club 7 - Have You Ever (382,000)
95. Madonna - American Pie (381,000)
96. Bob The Builder - Mambo No.5 (380,000)
97. Cheeky Girls - Cheeky Song (Touch my bum) (379,000)
98. Duffy - Mercy (378,000)
99. Timbaland presents DOE & Keri Hilson - The Way I Are (376,000)
100. Daniel Powter - Bad Day (375,000)

Source (http://www.soapchat.net/showthread.php?t=171088)

Wogan accuses Eurovision of racism (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a97230/wogan-accuses-eurovision-of-racism.html)

Extract:

Wogan told the Daily Telegraph that the only way Britain could win the music contest again would be if a major recording artist such as Take That, Elton John or Robbie Williams got involved.

"If the British music industry can't swing even one of our major acts to represent the country at the Eurovision, we're really wasting our time," he added.

Kiss Star Approved Of Williams' Name-drop.
02-06-2008

Kiss star Paul Stanley was flattered British pop star Robbie Williams name-checked his band in a song - but insists he has no plans to return the favour any time soon.

Williams - who sang, "Every morning when I wake up, I look like Kiss, but without the make-up" in his 1999 hit Strong - joins a long list of artists who have mentioned the face-painting rockers in their lyrics, including Lenny Kravitz, Weezer, Jimmy Buffett and Kid Rock.

And singer/guitarist Stanley insists he was impressed with the British pop star's name-drop, despite Williams' fear the metal rockers would hate the lyric.

He says, "I liked it. When I ran into him in Los Angeles, I think he thought I was gonna deck (punch) him. But I liked it.

"But, as big as Robbie Williams is, he's not in one of our songs".

Source (http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/entertainment/Kiss-52245.html)

Jay-Z And James Blunt Are Acts People Would Most Like To Share A Pint With At this years Glastonbury...

US rapper Jay-Z and James Blunt are the two acts that people would most like to share a pint with at this years Glastonbury Festival, according to a new survey.

Blunt received the most female votes in the survey, while Jay-Z was more popular with men.

On hearing the results, James Blunt said: "Pork Scratchings and a game of darts with Jay-Z! I’m buying!”

The Verve, who will headline the Pyramid stage at the festival, came third in the poll. Duffy, Kate Nash and Kings of Leon were also popular with the voters.

The survey, carried out by Carlsberg, also asked who people would most like to drink with from Glastonbury’s gone by.

Robbie Williams topped the survey, narrowly ahead of his festival friends Oasis and former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney.

The full top ten finished as follows:

1. James Blunt
=1. Jay-Z
3. The Verve
4. Mark Ronson
5. The Proclaimers
6. Duffy
7. Kate Nash
8. Kings of Leon
9. Shakin’ Stevens
10. The Fratellis

Source... reposted it here encase people missed it (http://www.gigwise.com/news/43619/jayz-and-james-blunt-are-acts-people-would-most-like-to-share-a-pint-with)

The London Guitar Show 2008
June 5, 2008

The UK's biggest public guitar show is only one week away and the line-up in nothing short of Stella. With guitar god himself Joe Satriani, rock's premiere virtuoso guitarists Yngwie Malmsteen and arguably the world's great bass player, Billy Sheehan all performing guitar fans are in for a treat of epic proportions.

The final line-up is as follows :


London Guitar Show Main Stage

Saturday 14th June
10.30 Guitar Idol Final
12.00 C3 presents Richie Kotzen, Guthrie Govern & Jamie Humphries
13.30 Billy Sheehan
14.20 Paul Gilbert
15.30 Phil Hilborne
16.20 Yngwie Malmsteen

Sunday 15th June

12.00 Joe Satriani
15.00 RD Crusaders


Unplugged Acoustic Stage
Saturday 14th June

11.30 The Internationals
12.30 Surianne
13.30 Michael Messer & BJ Cole
14.30 Hot Lips & Chilli Fingers
16.00 Courtney Pine
Sunday 15th June
11.40 Musicians Union
12.30 Hot Lips & Chilli Fingers
13.30 Chris Difford & Boo Hewedine
15.00 Big Jim Sullivan
There's also a host of other cool concerts and seminars including Live performances from drumming icons such as Jason Bonham of Led Zeppelin, Chad Smith of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ray Luzier ( Korn ), and Roy Mayorga ( Stone Sour ). If that's not enough visitors can chat with Radio One's Colin Murray in the live seminar theatre and watch live interviews with leading names from the world of production and sound engineering such as Steve Lyon, producer of Depeche Mode and The Cure and Tony Cousins, producer for Robbie Williams and Elton John
Literally hundreds of the top brand names in the business will be exhibiting at the show and every conceivable type of guitar and accessory will be all on display under one roof. There will also be a huge display of drums, sound recording technology and acoustic instruments as well, so bring your band mates for the ultimate band day out at a music exhibition.

The London Guitar Show is part of the UK's Biggest Music exhibition, The London International Music show. It takes place at http://www.excel-london.co.uk/en/


For more information, visit their web site at http://www.londoninternationalmusicshow.com.

Me and the secular police

I was wrong to blame the non-religious for banning God from civil weddings. It's all the church's doing.

Giles Fraser The Guardian
Monday June 16 2008

I have spoken at dozens of weddings, but never at a civil ceremony. Being a vicar, it was something of a challenge. "The law will not permit the use of any wording, readings or music which may have religious connotations at a civil marriage," is how the Weddings in Westminster brochure explained the limitations. That seemed a mighty sweeping prohibition - I can get "religious connotations" from pretty much anything. Under these circumstances, what could I say that would be of any use to the happy couple? Indeed, what could I say at all?

I phoned up the register office people to explain my plight. Things got worse. They weren't sure if I could say my few words wearing a clerical collar. And it was suggested that I might have to submit my script in advance for clearance. I had heard about this bonkers state of affairs before - of a couple who were banned from having a CD of Robbie Williams singing Angels at their wedding because it was too religious - but this was my first run-in with the secular culture police. This summer, all over the country, wedding couples will be told that they can't have a Shakespeare sonnet or Elizabeth Browning's How Do I Love Thee because it has some whiff of the divine about it.

Full article in the Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jun/16/religion.civilliberties)

Music and mobile is mighty match - now Madonna preloads Hard Candy on SonyEricsson phones

June 16, 2008

We see ever more innovation in the space of music and mobile phones coming together. We told you in our book Communities Dominate Brands of the first MP3 full-track music downloads that were introduced in South Korea when Ricky Martin pre-released selected full tracks in South Korea way back in 2003, and that Robbie Williams was the first musician to release a full album on an expandable memory chip for mobile phones in 2004. We also wrote of the music community experience migrating to mobile phones with for example the case study of the Twins Mobile music fan club and MVNO from Hong Kong.

The saga of mobile music continued and expanded. I wrote of more mobile phone convergence in my current book Digital Korea, which has a full chapter on mobile music and a case study of the industry-leading music service platform, Melon Music in South Korea. The book discusses several artists innovating further in the music and mobile space, such as Presidents of the USA releasing the first ever music video shot on cameraphones in 2005, Fedde Le Grand inviting fans to send in their own variants of the music video Put Your Hands Up (for Detroit) in 2006, and the Sugababes inviting fans to send in dance moves for the band to perform on stage in 2006. I even had the wonderful experience of someone reading my book, discovering himself in the book, and then contacting me to validate that my version of the story was indeed reported correctly as I wrote in "when your history catches up with you".

And then here at the Communities Dominate blog we have continued to celebrate musical innovations with mobile. We've had countless stories including the Fugees saying they will now use mobile as their only song testing platform, as P Diddy interacting with fans during live concerts, cool new services like Tonemine which allows ringtone mash-ups, and the amazing story of Mice Love Rice, the ability to turn free downloads of MP3 files on the internet into millions of dollars of revenues via Ringback (ie Waiting) tones in China.

So now Madge (or as some of my Finnish friends call her, Mato-Anna) ie Madonna, is jumping into the mobile music space. Her record label Warner Music has released Madonna's latest album, Hard Candy onto SonyEricsson's Walkman branded phones in 27 countries. Moco News reports that the album initially came as a coupon and then a bundled CD, now it is as pre-loaded music on the phone, either as full album with all tracks pre-loaded, or with 5 of the tracks from the album pre-loaded and the customer can buy to upgrade to the full album later. I should mention that this is not exclusive to SonyEricsson, there also is a Samsung F400 phone which comes with Hard Candy.

Yes, an "obvious" step by a major star in using mobile. We've seen something like this before, with Def Jam artists on SonyEricsson Walkman phones before, for example. But if Robbie Williams was almost there already four years ago, why did it take major artists this long? There are more than 500 million musicphones already in use ie about four times the installed base of iPod users.. Hello? Anybody awake there in music-land??

Well, it is anyway yet another in this twisting intertwined tale of music on phones, from the humble downloadable ringing tone that started it all ten years ago, to now the iPhone...

Source (http://communities_dominate.blogs.com/brands/2008/06/music-and-mobil.html)

Coldplay Tops UK Chart

by Paul Cashmere - June 16 2008

As expected, Coldplay's 'Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends' has debuted at number one in England, after only being on sale for 3 days.

The album was only on sale for three days of the chart week but still managed to sell 302,000 units.

'Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends' was one of the most anticipated albums of the year, after the band released the single 'Violet Hill' for free as a download. It was downloaded more than 2 million times in the first week.

The band's previous album 'X&Y' is officially the second fastest selling album in UK history, after moving 464,471 units in the first week.

Oasis holds the record with 663,389 sales in 7 days.

Because 'Viva La Vida' was released midweek, it may be impossible to determine the exact 7-day sales and see if it challenges the Oasis record.

The Top 10 Fastest Selling Albums ever in the UK are:

1. Oasis – Be Here Now (663,389)
2. Coldplay – X&Y (464,471)
3. Dido – Life For Rent (400,351)
4. Leona Lewis – Spirit (375,872)
5. Robbie Williams – Intensive Care (373,832)
6. Arctic Monkeys – Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (363,735
7. U2 – Rattle and Hum (360,000)
8. Michael Jackson – Bad (350,000)
9. Oasis – (What's The Story) Morning Glory (347,000)
10. Madonna – The Immaculate Collection (340,000)

Undercover (http://undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=5246)

Miami Native Desmond Child Inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame Today
Thu Jun 19, 2008

True hometown hero (Miami born and raised!) Desmond Child gets inducted today into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York. Boasting almost three decades in the biz, Child may not quite be a household name – but the stars for whom he’s crafted megawatt hits are. Enjoy this streaming playlist of a few of the stellar pop hits Child has penned over the years. And they are definitely eclectic – “Hate Myself For Loving You” by Joan Jett? That was him. “The Thong Song” by Sisqo? Yep, that was him too.

After the jump, check out a bigger list of Child’s songs for other artists which includes

Robbie Williams
"Old Before I Die"

Full list and source here (http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/crossfade/2008/06/miami_native_desmond_child_ind.php)

The 5-minute Interview: Finley Quaye, Musician

'I can make you laugh until your head wants to explode'

Friday, 20 June 2008


The Mobo and Brit award-winning artist Finley Quaye, 34, will be performing at the free World Party festival in Croydon on 12 July


If I weren't talking to you right now...

I'd be rocking the conversation with someone else.

A phrase I overuse is...

"After all is said and done, everything is said and nothing's actually done."

I wish people would take more notice of...

Disadvantaged people.

The most surprising thing that happened to me...

Beating Robbie Williams, Elton John and Paul Weller to win the Brit for best British male solo artist.

A common misperception of me is...

That after looking and listening to me I could possibly come from Edinburgh.

I'm not a politician but...

I can point you in the right direction if you need one.

I'm good at...

I can make you laugh until your stomach feels like it wants to split open, I can make you laugh until your head wants to explode.

I'm very bad at...

Darts.

The best age to be is...

There are seven golden ages: 10, 18, 27, 35, 50, 60 and 70.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

Love breeds love, hate breeds hate and that's all there is to life.

Ben Naylor

Source (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/the-5minute-interview-finley-quaye-musician-851033.html)

Extract from article -Tech Music Schools: the School of Rock (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/main.jhtml?xml=/education/2008/06/21/famusic121.xml)

It is a hard-nosed approach, but it has borne fruit. Tech Music Schools have yet to produce a Robbie Williams or an Amy Winehouse, but there have been a number of lesser luminaries - Philip Selway, of Radiohead, Nathan Curran, of Basement Jaxx, Jason Cooper, of the Cure, Mark Roberts, of Massive Attack.

On Three Songs Which Really Say A Lot About Me

Extract:

How much I understand myself, I don't know. How much other people understand me, I know less, but there are three songs from the 1990's, none of which I heard until this decade, where I think the composers had a psychice, prophetic connection to me, because I have come to accept that together they sum up much of who I am.

I mentioned this before on my blog, but when I first listened to Robbie Williams's Greatest Hits, I stopped and played "Come Undone" four times in a row. Even today the song shakes me. Williams defines the great discrepancy between who I want to be at my best and who I know I can be at my worst. "So self-aware, so full of s**t/So indecisive, so adamant," and of course, "so need your love, so f**k you all." The choruses are where it really gets spooky, My tendency to overanalyze myself into stupor? "I'm contemplating thinking about thinking." The fear which once forced me into the church and still forces me into the gym and the health food line? "I'm not scared of dying, I just don't want to." And one part of my life which makes me heap the scorn on top myself, "If I ever hurt you, your revenge will be so sweet/Because I'm scum/And I'm your son." "Come Undone" at least suggests what I know I can be when I try to be good.

Full article (http://triplebolt.livejournal.com/77871.html)

Donadoni ignores fun; Italy goes home

The Associated Press
Published: June 23, 2008

VIENNA, Austria: Italy plays soccer like a dentist pulls teeth.

You know it's going to be painful. And, even if the result may be for the good, it usually ends in tears.

This was the day soccer got back at the no-fun Italians.

They were thrown out of the European Championship on Sunday the same unsatisfactory shootout way they won the World Cup two years ago. They lost a penalty shootout 4-2 to Spain at the end of 120 minutes of goalless quarterfinal play that negated much of the good work this championship has achieved.

Plainly, the Italians still haven't learned that soccer is supposed to be entertainment.

As they walked off the field at Ernst Happel Stadium, the public address system boomed out Robbie Williams' "Let Me Entertain You".

It was played before the kickoff, too, but clearly the Italians weren't listening.

Full artcle in International Herald Tribune (http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/22/sports/SOC-Euro-2008-Extra-Time.php)

Coldplay's Viva album lives again at one

Monday June 30, 2008
By Alan Jones

Coldplay’s Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends tops the albums chart for the third straight week, with sales of 109,553 taking its 17-day career haul to 609,605.

It is the 11th week that Coldplay have topped the chart since their 2000 debut, a total surpassed in the 21st Century by only two other acts. Ahead of them are Robbie Williams, with 23 weeks at number one, and Dido (17). Sharing third place, James Blunt and Travis have also spent 11 weeks at number one.

Full article in Music Week (http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storycode=1034704)

For your ears only


From £3.5m for the Stones, to considerably less for Rick Astley, booking a favourite act for your own intimate gig is now all the rage, reports Imogen Edwards-Jones

Monday July 7, 2008
The Guardian


For all the sneering that the recently hitched Mrs Wayne Rooney endured from the style police concerning the dress, the guests, the magazine exclusive and the groom, she managed to get one thing right. She booked Westlife to play at the wedding.
Not that Westlife are hip, cool and stylish. They patently are not. But by booking a private gig, Coleen has joined the long line of A-listers, billionaires and oligarchs who like nothing more than shelling out for a private performance by their favourite pop stars.

In the last 12 months alone, Amy Winehouse has played for Louis Vuitton in Paris and Roman Abramovich in Moscow. Whitney Houston cleared her pipes last month at an invitation-only black-tie ball in south London. Deep Purple took Gazprom's shilling and played for the then-future Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, at the Kremlin. Even Pete Doherty played his own sitting room in Burbage, Wiltshire, a few months ago to a devoted audience of two.
In the old days, private gigs were the remit of tribute bands and the has-been star down on his luck, with a mortgage to pay and various kids to support. But as record sales decline, touring costs rise and downloads are worth two a penny, an oligarch's knees-up or a footballer's wedding is now an acceptable way for any Grammy award-winning star to line their pockets.

They can earn a lot too. Rod Stewart and Robbie Williams come at £1m each. The Rolling Stones played a Texan billionaire's 60th birthday bash at the Hard Rock hotel in Las Vegas for a sweet £3.5m. Paul McCartney sang for American TV executive Wendy Whitworth for £500,000. Sting did Bill Gates's New York Supper Club for £250,000. Abramovich gave Winehouse £1m for an hour-long serenade in Moscow. Elton John, who won't step on to your Tuscan terrace before trousering a cool £1m, refers to all this as "giggle money" or "bank raids". With up to six private gigs a year under his belt, it is easy to see why he finds it so entertaining.

But it's not just the big boys who get booked and do the booking. While I was researching Pop Babylon, an exposé on the contemporary music business, it became apparent just how widespread the phenomenon is becoming.

The likes of the Sultan of Brunei, who lavished millions on his daughter's 18th birthday - hiring Janet Jackson and the All Saints (all of whom received a diamond-encrusted watch on top of their fee) - have made way for a different sort of audience. Since the explosion of cash to come out of Russia, it is much more likely to be some nameless tycoon on his yacht in the Mediterranean on the other end of the phone. Interestingly, the girl groups tend to be more popular than the boys, mainly because it's men who book them. Leather catsuit-clad Girls Aloud can make £200,000 for 20 minutes at a party, while the Pussycat Dolls get £500,000 per gig. Recently the Sugababes got £250,000 for seven songs, and 30 minutes' work at a Russian man's 21st in the south of France.

There is still some talent that won't get out of bed and on to a plane for large sums of money though. Coldplay were offered £500,000 to sing at a birthday party at Cliveden, but even the lure of a chopper to get them there and a large donation to their favourite charity wasn't enough to get them out of the studio. Annie Lennox is apparently the same.

For the most part, though, money talks. In these progressively less affluent times it makes sense for pop stars to take the dot.com dollar and the oligarch's roubles. Unlike touring, where everything down to the bacon sarnies eaten by the roadies cuts into the profits, the costs incurred by the band for a private gig are nil. They get chauffeured or jetted to the venue, they play to a digital audiotape, or (for more money) with a band, and then they leave. So after the agent has taken his 10% and the manager his 15%, all the cash goes into the star's back pocket. They might be expected to "mix and mingle" with their hosts for an hour or so after the gig, depending what terms have been negotiated in the contract - but that is not exactly exhausting work.

No wonder then that the market is expanding rapidly with indie acts and young pop stars offering themselves up to the highest bidder. Even old favourites such as the Human League and Rick Astley have dusted themselves off and are available for weddings and bar mitzvahs. So no matter how big or small your budget, there appears to be a band to suit you.

If money's really tight, there's always owngig.com, a website that came online last month where fans can bid for acts to play a private gig in their area. The idea is that if enough local people of similar tastes bid for the same group, then they can pool the cash and book the band. With the focus on artists in the £20,000-£40,000 price tag, they look for groups who are already on tour and try to persuade them to do an extra gig.

So it really is only a matter of persuading some friends to clean out their bank accounts, and you too could have Amy Winehouse singing in your kitchen. Or you could remortgage the house and finally achieve your ultimate teenage fantasy - Take That playing in your bedroom.

Source (http://music.guardian.co.uk/pop/story/0,,2289508,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=39)

Extract - Full article & source here (http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080710/local/pop-music-at-the-royal-opera-house-in-valletta)

A Tribute To The Stars, part of the Malta Arts Festival, is a live, animated and entertaining show featuring some of the biggest hits of the last 60 years by artistes ranging from Glenn Miller, Nat King Cole and Andy Williams, to Elvis Presley, The Beatles and Elton John.

The show also features hits from contemporary or more recent pop stars such as Queen, Boy George, Robbie Williams, Bon Jovi, U2 and a special medley from Italian great Andrea Bocelli. For the show, Spiteri Lucas Entertainment has assembled a highly-talented cast with some of Malta's top and most versatile performers.

You need to sign up to vote for this, and I don't know if C4TV is aired anywhere else than in New Zealand. Robbie has been in the top 10 a few times before.

U CHOOSE 40

Saturday / 8.30pm

An all new season where it's your chance to tell us what to play!

It's simple. Every week we'll ask you for your favourite picks from the list of songs below for any given theme. It's as easy as ticking your FIVE favourite tracks and then making sure you’re watching us Saturday from 8:30pm to see how the countdown stacks up!

Got an idea for U Choose 40, tell us HERE (http://www.c4tv.co.nz/contact/tabid/73/Default.aspx)

CLICK HERE (http://www.c4tv.co.nz/LineUp/UChoose40/UChoose40Results/tabid/177/Default.aspx) to see how the TOP 10 shaped up in weeks gone by.

For txt reminders txt uc40 to 2555 (txts cost 50c, stop them at anytime by txting stop to 2555)

Theme: Sound Familiar? (artist - song - original)

2Pac - Changes - Bruce Hornsby & The Range
2pac - California Love - Joe Cocker's
Akon - Lonley - Bobby Vinton
Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson
All Saints - Lady Marmalade - The Eleventh Hour
Amy Winehouse - Tears dry on their own - Motown
Audiobullys Feat. Nancy Sinatra - Shot Me Down - Nancy Sinatra
Beatfreakz - Somebody's Watching Me - Rockwell
Beats International - Dub Be Good To Me - The Clash
Beyonce/Jay-z - Crazy in Love - The Chi-Lites
Bjork - It's Oh so Quiet - Betty Hutton
Blackstreet - No Diggity - James Brown etc
Blondie - Tide Is High - The Paragons
Boyzone - Words - The Bee Gees
Britney Spears - My Prerogative - Bobby Brown
Coldplay - Talk - Kraftwerk
Coolio - Gangstars Paradise - Stevie Wonder
David Bowie - China Girl - Iggy Pop
Dee-Lite - Groove Is In the Heart - Herbie Hancock
Destiny's Child - Bootylicious - Stevie Nicks
Devo - Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones
Eminem - Stan - Dido
Eminem - Like Toy Soilders - Martika
Eminem - Sing For The Moment - Aerosmith
Eric Prydz - Call on Me - Stevie Wonder
Estelle - No Substitute Love - George Michael
Fatboy Slim - Praise You - Camille Yarbrough
Gary Jules - Mad World - Tears For Fears
Green Day - Working Class Hero - John Lennon
Greenpeace - Anchor Me - Don McGlashan
Guns N Roses - Knockin on Heavens Door - Bob Dylan
Guns N Roses - Live & Let Die - Paul McCartney & Wings
Gwen Stefani - Wind it Up - The Sound of Music
Gym Class Heroes - Clothes Off - Jermaine
Gym Class Heroes - Cupids Chokehold - Supertramp
House of Pain - Jump Around - Bo & Earl
Jamelia - Beware of The Dog - Soft Cell
Jennifer Lopez - I'm Real - Rick James
Joan Jett - I Love Rock N Roll - The Arrows
Johnny Cash - Hurt - Nine Inch Nails
Jose Gonzales - Heartbeats - The Knife
Jose Gonzales - Hand on Your Heart - Kylie Minogue
JXL & Elvis Presley - A Little Less Conversation - Elvis Presley
Kanye West - Diamonds From Sierra Leone - Shirley Bassey
Kanye West - Stronger - Daft Punk
Korn - Word Up - Cameo
Lil Mama - G Slide (Tour Bus) - The Wheels on the Bus
Limp Bizkit - Behind Blue Eyes - The Who
Lupe Fiasco - Daydreamin - Daydream in Blue
Madonna - Hung Up - Abba
Madonna - American Pie - Don McLean
Mariah Carey - Loverboy - Cameo
Mariah Carey & Westlife - Against All Odds - Phil Collins
Marilyn Manson - Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode
Marilyn Manson - Tainted Love - Gloria Jones
Mark Ronson feat. Alex Greenwald - Just - Radiohead
Mark Ronson/Lily Allen - Oh My God - Kaiser Chiefs
Mase - Welcome Back - Theme to Welcome Back Kotter
MC Hammer - U Can't Touch This - Rick James
Misfits of Science - Fools Love - Doris Day
Mylo - Dr Pressure - Miami Sound Machine / Mylo
Mylo - In My Arms - Kim Carnes & Boy Meets Girl
Natalie Imbruglia - Torn - Edna Swap
Nelly - Tilt ya head back - Curtis Mayfield
Nirvana - The Man Who Sold The World - David Bowie
No Doubt - It's My Life - Talk Talk
North Shore Pony Club - Computer Games - Mi-Sex
P Money feat. Dave Dobbyn - Oughta Be In Love - Dave Dobbyn
Pet Shop Boys - Always on My Mind - Elvis Presley
Pink, Chrstina, Mya, Lil Kim - Lady Marmalade - The Eleventh Hour
PM Dawn - Set Adrift on Memory Bliss - Spandau Ballet
Puff Daddy & Faith Evans - I'll Be Missing You - The Police
Pussycat Dolls - Beep - Electric Light Orchestra
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Higher Ground - Stevie Wonder
Rihanna - S.O.S - Soft Cell
Robbie Williams - She's The One - World Party
Rum DMC / Aerosmith - Walk This Way - Aerosmith
Run DMC vs. Jason Nevins - It's Like That - Run DMC
Scissor Sisters - Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd
Sean Kingston - Beautiful Girls - Ben E. King
Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares To You - Prince
Soft Cell - Tainted Love - Gloria Jones
Stefy - Chelsea - Eurythmics
Stereophonics - Handbags and Gladrags - Rod Stewart
Steriogram - Back in Black - AC/DC
Strawpeople - Drive - The Cars
Sugababes - Freak Like Me - Gary Newman
T.a.t.u - How soon is now? - The Smiths
The Ataris - Boys Of Summer - Don Henley
The Clash - I Fought The Law - The Crickets
The Fugees - Killing Me Softly - Lori Liberman
The Monkees - I'm A Believer - Neil Diamond
The Pussycat Dolls - Don't Cha - Tori Alamaze
The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony - The Rolling Stones
The White Stripes - I Just Don’t Know… - Dusty Springfield
Toploader - Dancing In The Moonlight - King Harvest
U2 & Green Day - The Saints Are Coming - The Skids
UB40 - Red Red Wine - Neil Diamond
Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby - Queen & David Bowie
Warren G - Regulate - Michael McDonald
Westlife - Uptown Girl - Billy Joel
Wet Wet Wet - Love is All Around - The Troogs
Wheatus - A Little Respect - Erasure
Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton

Please log in to take part!

...Make sure you're watching Saturday @ 8:30pm to find out how your songs stacked up against the rest. The U CHOOSE 40, it's up to you.

C4TV - On C4 (http://www.c4tv.co.nz/LineUp/YouChoose40/tabid/88/Default.aspx?listingID=847092)

John Bonham’s last Led Zeppelin drumkit was “intimidating”

Tom Porter, Fri 18 Jul

The last remaining John Bonham owned drumkit is joining Jimi Hendrix's torched Fender Strat at auction. The Ludwig black and white spiral Vistalite was used by the drummer during his time with Led Zeppelin, and is reportedly the only kit in existence outside of the Bonham estate.

The drums are drenched in history, originally given to music critic Chris Welch as a gift from John Bonham, before being acquired by Phil Harris, owner of vintage gear suppliers Harris Hire.

We spoke to Chris Welch about how he came to own the drums: "I was just having a drink with John [Bonham] and he asked me if I wanted it. He was always very generous like that".

"He gave me the metal shell snare drum first, which was my favourite part of the kit", he continued.

"I used to play with it in a traditional jazz band. People were always pretty stunned when I turned up with it – they were impressed with its size, but intimidated at the same time. They'd expect to hear Led Zeppelin, not When The Saints Go Marching In!"

"I did want to keep the snare drum, but decided to sell the kit as a whole - it was just collecting dust in my garage. I was pleased that other bands would have the opportunity to use it".

The Vistalite's current owner Phil Harris discussed his time with the kit: "It's the equivalent of John Bonham's stage kit - a 26" bass drum, a 14" rack, a 16" floor and an enormous 20" floor that's so à la Bonham it's unreal".

"It's been used a lot", he added. "I hired it out to the Manic Street Preachers and Robbie Williams. When Robbie hired it, they set it up and put it in a studio on its own. Everyone stood around looking at it in awe of the presence of the late Mr John Bonham".

Keen eyes last spotted the familiar black and white swirls at The Mighty Boosh festival earlier this month. If the comedy duo Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt want to keep it, they'll have to get bidding on 4 September at The Fame Bureau with the rest of us.

Musicradar (http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/john-bonhams-last-led-zeppelin-drumkit-was-intimidating-165630)

A record-making invention


The CD was just a shiny toy; it was the LP that revolutionised the way we hear music

Is anyone likely to lament the death of CDs? The evidence suggests not. When EMI announced that it was shipping over a million unsold units of Robbie Williams' Rudebox to China for the polycarbonate plastic to be recycled into road surfacing landfill, it felt like a fair use of the discs, rather than the label's own critique of their artist. Other than audiophiles, thrilled by the sonic sheen that the compact disc promised when it arrived on the market in 1983, few people have warmed to the CD in the same way that they once fell for vinyl.

It was 35 years earlier, in June 1948, that Edward Wallerstein of Columbia Records in New York introduced the world to the LP. Standing flanked by two stacks of discs, he demonstrated the difference in playing time between a conventional shellac 78 and a 12-inch disc designed to spin at 33 revolutions per minute. This vinyl acetate platter lasted 22½ minutes - enough time, using both sides, to listen to Beethoven's 'Eroica', or the first part of Yes's Tales From Topographic Oceans, should it ever come to that.

While the LP was conceived with the classical market in mind (and because the Second World War caused a shortage in shellac), it opened up new sonic vistas. For instance, Eric Satie's idea of musique d'ameublement was realised by a deluge of LPs with titles such as Music for Dining, Music for Reading and the studiously un-erotic Music for Two People Alone.

There was a similar shortlived boom in 'travelogue' LPs. A specialist in this field was Jo Basile (later to compose the music for The Magic Roundabout), who created records such as Accordion de Paris, the sleeve of which featured a beret-clad musician serenading a saucy mademoiselle.

The arrival of the LP spurred on the nascent art of sleeve design, kindling the attachment between fan and artist (later generations would derive their kicks from the artwork for Roxy Music's Country Life or, later, Big Black's Songs About Fucking). But the real significance of the LP was that it encouraged musicians to think of themselves as artists for the first time - rather than as simply hired hands there to interpret the music under the control of a composer or arranger.

If any LP can be considered key, surely it's Frank Sinatra's In the Wee Small Hours (1955), which he crafted meticulously, recording at night to ensure his voice had the right love-torn timbre. Sinatra resurrected his career with the record and went on to outsell Elvis for the rest of the decade, even if Presley enjoyed more number one hit singles. Later the Beatles announced their highbrow ambitions through records such as Rubber Soul which, rather than simply being a collection of singles, felt like an intended whole, paving the way for Sgt Pepper.

The desirability of such developments is something that Travis Elborough skips in this enjoyable history of the LP. The Long-Player Goodbye peters to a close with the arrival of the compact disc, but the CD did nothing to dismantle this new conception of pop: on the contrary, record labels and new magazines like Q rushed to construct the rock canon, encouraging the idea that no home library could ever be complete without at least one Phil Collins album. The long history of the LP would really end with the arrival of the MP3 player (the MPMan F10 in America 10 years ago), which has reinvoked that old idea of the hit song as pop's chief currency. It's easier to love an iPod than a Sony Discman, too.

Source (http://books.guardian.co.uk/reviews/artsandentertainment/0,,2291842,00.html)

Adele, Radiohead, Portishead Lead U.K. Mercury Prize Shortlist

By Mark Beech

July 22 (Bloomberg) -- Albums by Adele, Radiohead and Portishead are among the 12-strong shortlist for the U.K.'s 2008 Nationwide Mercury Prize announced today.

Soul singer Adele, now 20, was nominated for her debut ``19,'' and the shortlist also includes 18-year-old Laura Marling, whose first CD is called ``Alas I Cannot Swim.'' Led Zeppelin veteran Robert Plant, 59, is also nominated, for his album with Alison Krauss, ``Raising Sand.''

``This turns out to be a remarkably rich year for British music,'' Simon Frith, chairman of the judges, said in an e-mailed release. ``What is most striking is the continued resilience and flexibility of the album as a way of organizing music-making.''

The Mercury Prize, awarded annually since 1992, is sponsored by Nationwide Building Society. It has often been given to new or non-commercial acts and pits different genres against one another, ranging from folk and jazz to hard rock. The winner receives a prize of 20,000 pounds ($40,140), although the boost from album sales can be worth much more.

The award focuses on the music -- it does not take into account album sales, media exposure or live performances, according to a Nationwide Mercury fact sheet. The winner will be announced on Sept. 9.

Among acts boosted by a Mercury Prize were rapper Dizzee Rascal (real name: Dylan Mills), who won in 2003 for ``Boy in Da Corner,'' and Badly Drawn Boy (a.k.a. Damon Gough), the 2000 winner for ``The Hour of Bewilderbeast,'' both on the independent XL Recordings label.

Previous hit albums that were nominated for the Mercury Prize but failed to win include Robbie Williams's ``Life Thru a Lens'' in 1998, when the award went to ``Bring It On'' by Gomez, and ``OK Computer'' by Radiohead in 1997, beaten by Roni Size/Reprazent's ``New Forms.''

Source (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?sid=aQYRPt9ZQwz8&pid=20601088)

Lucmayon sings Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Elton John and Phil Collins with equal passion. He can also render songs from the new age bands like West Life, singers like Robbie Williams and Ronan Keating.


Full article & source (http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&month=July2008&file=Local_News200807241392.xml)

What are the best funeral songs?

What is the best song you ever heard at a funeral?
What song do you want played at your funeral?
Do you ever hear a song on the radio and it brings back memories of a funeral you attended?
Are you a musician with an original song that could be added to our list?
Share your story!

Better Man - Robbie Williams

by Wayne (Australia)

My younger brother hung himself in prison in 2001, he had been hounded for many years by the police here, though he was not always innocent, the charge they had him in prison for was attempted murder when every witness statement said it was clearly self defense. He defended his girlfriend of the time when another man threw her into a fence. At the time of his death, he continually stated that he wanted to get rid of the friends who always seemed to backstab him and who always tried to pull him into criminal endeavors....so he wanted to be a better man. I only heard this song for the first time when I was flying from my Army Training to attend his funeral. Seemed to fit....

Heavenly Doves (http://www.heavenlywhitedoves.net/better-man-robbie-williams.html)

We're not Robbie Williams or Michael Jackson, we are just a group of monks who sing every day because it is our prayer and it is our life.'


Full article and source (http://www.indiaenews.com/europe/20080802/136268.htm)

101 90’s Hits - Five CDs of Classic Tunes!



Get ready to celebrate and reminisce one of the greatest decades of your life with 101 90s Hits! Back when The Big Breakfast kick-started your day, Live & Kicking your weekend, when combats and the Union Jack were fashion must-haves, when Titanic still held box-office records and when Britney was hot…what better way to party like its 1999!!

The 101 phenomenon continues with 101 90s Hits, Five jam-packed CDs of 90s classics. With monster chart hits from pop hunks Robbie Williams, Five, Ricky Martin, George Michael and the mighty 90s boy band Take That, to girl power tracks from Spice Girls, Christina Aguilera, Louise, Tina Turner, Britney and Eternal. Not forgetting those infectious dance, pop and Britpop anthems from Olive, Chumbawamba, D:Ream, M People. Blur, Shampoo and Supergrass,

The perfect soundtrack to your summer and beyond…raise a glass to the 90s and party with 101 90s Hits…the definitive record for your collection.

CD1
Robbie Williams Millennium
Britney Spears Baby One More Time
Spice Girls Stop
Five Keep On Movin'
Steps Tragedy
Backstreet Boys Everybody (Backstreet's Back)
http://www.ilikemusic.com/pop/101_90s_Hits-5333

Kid rockers that we knew and loved

Monday, August 18, 2008

Los Angeles Times

Ricky Nelson: Ozzie and Harriet’s younger son was the rock era’s first TV-bred idol. Key song: “Lonesome Town”

The Monkees: Concocted as a(n even more) teeny-bopper version of the Beatles, this quartet had its own zany charm. Key songs: “Daydream Believer,” “I’m a Believer”

David Cassidy: The 1970s heartthrob rode the bus with his fake family, the Partridges, and set the stage for his brother Shaun’s success a few years later. Key song: “I Think I Love You”

The Jackson 5: Motown’s family act had great moves, soulful songs and one troubled genius at the center: Michael. Key song: “ABC”

Donny Osmond: This puppy lover had the whitest teeth in showbiz. Key song: “Go Away Little Girl”

Andy Gibb: Younger brother to the Bee Gees, Gibb made disco perfect for high schoolers. Key song: “I Just Want to Be Your Everything”

Rick Springfield: General Hospital’s Dr. Noah Drake had one big hit but still has a thriving cult career. Key song: “Jessie’s Girl”

Wham!: England reasserted its reign over teen pop via the duo of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. Key song: “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go”

New Edition: This Boston-based group’s dance moves and harmonies are the root of all things boy-band. Key song: “Mr. Telephone Man”

New Kids on the Block: Put together by Maurice Starr, the producer who discovered New Edition, NKOTB wasn’t just that group’s vanilla cousin — just ask the fans flocking to see them on this year’s reunion tour. Key song: “Step by Step”

Debbie Gibson: Along with Tiffany, Gibson embodied the pop version of the John Hughes-movie-style mall rat. Key song: “Only in My Dreams”

Kris Kross: This fashion-forward duo showed that rap could be a kiddie affair. Key song: “Jump”

Brandy: The prototypical fly ingénue revived girl-group wistfulness for a savvier generation. Key songs: “The Boy Is Mine” (with Monica), “Sittin’ Up in My Room”

Take That: Huge in Europe, hardly known here, Take That blessed the world with Brit-brat Robbie Williams. Key song: “Pray, Relight My Fire, Babe”

Spice Girls: This quintet transformed the energy of punk-rock feminism into an irresistible cheerleader routine. Key song: “Wannabe”

Hanson: The Jonas Brothers acknowledge their debt to this bro-trio, which stood out for playing instruments. Key song: “MMMBop”

’NSync/Backstreet Boys: Assembled almost simultaneously by creepy mogul Lou Pearlman, these groups brought the boy-band concept to its logical end. Key song, ’NSync: “It’s Gonna Be Me”; Key song, Backstreet Boys: “I Want It That Way”

Britney Spears: The ruling Lolita of the new millennium had a kitten voice and no qualms about exhibiting her pubescent charms; then she tried to grow up. Key song: “Toxic”

Avril Lavigne: This Canadian’s snotty-cute music teaches Disney girls how to toughen up. Key song: “Complicated”

Raven-Symone/the Cheetah Girls: The Disney networks’ first star of the millennium was not a squeaky-clean rocker but a Cosby Show vet. Key song: “Fuego” (as part of the Cheetah Girls)

Source (http://www.projo.com/music/content/lb_Tween_music_history_08-18-08_9UAPPQD_v8.2c80064.html)

Charity on song with CD to support families who lose their babies

12-August-2008

A CORNISH charity has recorded a CD to raise funds to help it support families who lose a baby during pregnancy.

Forget Me Not goes on sale at HMV in Truro on August 18 and each track is dedicated to a baby lost by families in Cornwall.

The St Austell-based charity of the same name was set up by Jenny Moore to provide emotional support for families who face such heart-break.

Jenny, who relies on public donations for the charity's work, hopes the new CD will also raise awareness of the service it provides.

Jenny said: "The CD is really beautiful and very moving.

All of the singers live in Cornwall. They are amazing, and the CD is a wonderful testament to their talents. "I'd like to thank them, and the musicians and recording staff, and the people who helped with the design and photography, for making the CD possible." Recorded at Par recording studios, the 12 tracks on the compilation are cover versions of songs made famous by popular artists, such as Robbie Williams' Angels, which is performed by Robbie Williams' tribute artist Matthew Holbrook.

The CD's title track, Forget Me Not, is sung by Lucy Cox who lives near Falmouth.

She said: "Singing has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember.

"Recording this song was special on two counts.

"Firstly I know that the proceeds will support a valued and much loved charity in Cornwall, and secondly, I was accompanied by Jeremy Richards – a legend in his own right and my talented much-loved uncle!

"Thanks to him and to Steve Carter for the quality recording, and a huge thank you to Jenny for inviting us to contribute the track and for the invaluable work she does with the charity. I wish them luck with the CD and for their continued success."

Other songs on the CD include I Knew I Loved You, by popular singer Shane Solomon, who owns and runs a recording studio in Bugle, and Somewhere Over the Rainbow sung by Esther Baker, who sings as part of a worship group for St Austell Baptist Church.

Esther said: "I got to know Jenny through the Chatterbox parent and toddler group and feel very privileged to be asked to record this track, which I would like to dedicate to Jenny and Eric's daughter Lucy, the inspiration behind the Forget Me Not Charity."

Other tracks are sung by Kenny Barnes, Eily Tatlow, Megan Ash, Kristy Pugh and Karen Wilkinson, Cassandra June Bosdet, Marc Lloyd Ellery and Laura Frost.

Priced £8.99, the Forget Me Not CD goes on sale at HMV in Truro on August 16 and is also available from the charity's website www.forgetmenotcharity.org

This is Cornwall (http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/homepagenews/Charity-song-CD-support-families-lose-babies/article-263261-detail/article.html)

Eminem Tops League of Inspirational Music for Footballers

The key to a winning performance on the pitch? The right music, apparently. Footballers love nothing more than listening to inspirational tales of triumphs over adversity before heading into battle, according to a study published yesterday.

8 Mile, the soundtrack to Eminem's film debut - the story of a poor young man from Detroit aspiring to become a rapper - tops a survey of footballers' favorite motivational music.

According to Neil Todd, the music psychologist from Manchester University who conducted the survey, Eminem is the perfect choice to get the edge over the opposite team.

He said: "Eminem's music may play a role rather like the Haka - the New Zealand rugby team's pre-match tradition - in helping players reach an aroused competitive state.

"Some players will be motivated by the determined, repetitive dance rhythms combined with cutting lyrics that are often themed around re claiming pride and self-confidence in the face of difficult circumstances. Songs such as Lose Yourself are a good example of this."

U2's The best of 1990 and 2000 comes at number two, and US rapper Nelly's album is third.

Of footballers' choice of U2, Dr Todd said: "U2's music may work in a different way than Eminem - lively, positive and uplifting songs such as Beautiful Day can help create a positive frame of mind and also have a physiological effect by inducing a sense of euphoria by activating the brain's dopamine system.

"The release of adrenaline prior to a match has the additional effect of raising the heart rate, helping prepare the body for a game."

Rock artists such as Oasis and the Red Hot Chili Peppers are also ranked in the top five, but footballers seem to prefer R'n'B and rap, with Jay-Z, Jennifer Lopez and Justin Timberlake appearing most prominently alongside Nelly.

For Simon Lewis, features editor of the music bible NME, this is no surprise, as rappers' and footballers' lives are very similar. "Both made a lot of money very quickly. And a lot of the players' style these days is gangsta, bling-bling-inspired," he said.

Of the overall top 10, he said: "It's not a surprising list. If you imagine what footballers listen to at home, then you would probably come up with that list. But I would never have thought that they would listen to this to psych themselves up before a match."

Footballers' top 10 albums:

1. 8 Mile Eminem

2. The Best of 1990-2000 U2

3. Nellyville Nelly

4. Heathen Chemistry Oasis

5. By the Way Red Hot Chilli Peppers

6. Justified Justin Timberlake

7. Escapology Robbie Williams

8. Fever Kylie Minogue

9. J to tha L-O! Jennifer Lopez

10. The Blueprint 2: The Gift & the Curse Jay-Z

Source (http://www.buzzle.com/articles/215808.html)

Madonna SNUBBED By Slane; EXCLUSIVE ROCK LORD NO TO CASTLE GIG

Monday, 1 September 2008
By JAMIE LITTLE

ROCK peer Henry Mountcharles is believed to have said NO to Madonna and Bon Jovi rocking Slane Castle this year.

Madonna, 50, and the veteran rockers were both pitched to the Co Meath music fanatic and Irish Daily Mirror columnist - but it's understood he turned them down.

And his refusal to sign up Jon Bon Jovi and his band sparked a furious response from the legendary frontman.

Music insiders say he was "livid" when the Boyneside venue rejected the group.

And there was no welcome either for the Material Girl who previously played at the Co Meath site in 2004 - making her the only female to headline the venue.

A source said: "Lord Henry Mountcharles is notoriously picky about who plays Slane.

"Bon Jovi and Madonna are among the biggest names in the business but he just didn't feel they suited the venue at this time.

"Promoters the world over would kill to get them but when he makes a decision he sticks with it and rarely regrets it. He had been pushed very hard for months to host Bon Jovi but in the end he said they were not the right act and it was not the right time.

"It's doing the rounds in the industry that Jon Bon Jovi couldn't believe he was turned down and let rip about it; he was seriously miffed!

"But Henry is extremely choosy about headline acts at Slane and won't go ahead unless he's 100 per cent certain they'll work."

Only two bands have succeeded in returning to headline the 80,000- strong gig - U2 in 1983 and 2001 and The Rolling Stones in 1982 and last year.

Robbie Williams supported The Verve in 1998 and returned for a triumphant headline gig the following year.

The Let Me Entertain You singer later said the filmed concert in front of 80,000 Irish fans was one of his best ever shows.

And while there is no concert this year, the good news for music lovers is that "planning is already under way" for next year.

Lord Mountcharles told the Irish Daily Mirror last night: "I never comment on what acts I have coming to Slane until they are fully confirmed, and certainly not on performers we have turned down."

Despite criticism that Slane's glory days may be numbered, he has consistently vowed to keep the castle rocking.

Source (http://www.redorbit.com/news/entertainment/1539881/madonna_snubbed_by_slane__exclusive_rock_lord_no_t o/)

Cowell compares Leon Jackson to Robbie

Saturday, September 27 2008
By Daniel Kilkelly, Entertainment Reporter

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s49/MarianneStockholm/Diverse/LeonJackson.jpg

Leon Jackson has claimed that Simon Cowell is tipping him to be the next Robbie Williams.

The X Factor winner releases his new single 'Don't Call This Love' and debut album Right Now next month following a break from the spotlight.

Jackson told the Daily Star: "Simon is over the moon with my new album and has been saying I'm a cross between Michael Bublé and Robbie Williams. I'm like: 'Calm down, Simon'."

Rather than rushing out an album after winning X Factor last year, Jackson took a similar approach to Leona Lewis by putting in months of work with top producers.

"Leona Lewis is a prime example of what happens if you dedicate time and care and don't rush," Leon explained. "It's possible to rival the top people if you get it right and that's what I want to do."

Jackson will perform 'Don't Call This Love' on the first X Factor live show on October 11.

Digital Spy (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a131278/cowell-compares-leon-jackson-to-robbie.html)

Dub Music's Man On The Frontline :- Ticklah
by reggaewire | October 8, 2008

Even if you haven’t heard his name, you’ve probably heard Ticklah's (a.k.a. Victor Axelrod's) contributions to dozens of familiar projects. As a co-producer (and the keyboardist) of Dub Side of the Moon, he helped craft one of the best selling reggae albums of the decade. He was a founding member of the Easy Star All-Stars, playing on the very first sessions the band ever did in the earliest days of Easy Star's existence. He contributed keys to Radiodread, Easy Star Volume One, Easy Star Volume Two: Dancehall Culture, and other Easy Star releases.

As a key member of the Afrobeat collective Antibalas, and as an original member of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Axelrod is known for nailing grooves and then dancing around them in jaw-dropping capacity. His session work with Mark Ronson has put him on tracks by Lily Allen, Robbie Williams, and Amy Winehouse (including the hit “Rehab”). And he’s partnered on hit remixes with DJ Spinna, including Shaun Escofferey’s “Days Like This” and Les Nubians’ “Makeda.” He recently completed a remix for a Daptone Records remix album being put out by the Scion Car Company.

As a solo artist, Ticklah debuted in 1998 with Polydemic, released by the now-defunct Razorfish label. He also released Hi-Fidelity Dub Sessions: Roots Combination, which featured guest appearances by Sluggy Ranks, Rob Symeonn, Ruff Scott and Tamar-kali (from the Easy Star All-Stars).

Ticklah Vs. Axelrod, his first album on Easy Star, came out in September 2007 and features guest vocals by Mikey General, Rob Symeonn, Tamar-kali, Vinia Mojica, Mayra Vega and more.

The Reggae News Agency

www.riddimjamaica.net | www.riddimja.com

Model Carmen Solomons, this year’s face of Virgin Fashion Week and Virgin Mobile. Can’t live without her PC, but has never really clicked with the Internet

Are you into technology?
Sometimes, it depends on my mood.

What is the best gadget you have played with?
PlayStation and Xbox.

Has technology changed your life in any way?
Yes — I assume in the same way it has changed most people’s lives.

What gadget or item can you not live without?
My PC.

What gadget does the world need now?
Battery operated motor vehicles.

Do you use a Mac or PC?
I use a PC.

If you had to choose Internet or TV, what would it be and why?
Definitely TV. The Internet bores me as there is just too much clicking.

What is your favourite Xbox or PlayStation game?
‘Need for Speed – Most Wanted’.

Do you have an iPod and what is on it?
For sure. Robbie Williams.

What is your get up and go song?
‘Tempreture’ by Sean Paul.

Does YouTube mean anything to you?
No, is that like a cartoon?

How many hours a day do you spend on the Internet?
About an hour, I would say.

What are your PC’s specs?
I’ve no idea. It works, that’s all that matters.

Are you on Facebook? How often do you log on?
I am indeed. I log on about seven times a day.

What’s your favourite website?
Google … so that I can Google myself. Ha ha.

Do you speak computer jargon?
No. Okay, yes — but only when it’s really necessary.

What is the most frustrating technology, or thing about technology?
When the electricity is out and I don’t have access to technology. It is a big part of my life.

Source (http://www.thetimes.co.za/Entertainment/Article.aspx?id=862317)

Rock Concerts add years to artwork:search: (http://www.bookofjoe.com/2008/10/loud-rock-music.html)
Someone actually researched this? The mind boggles!

Extract from article:

British music venues under the spotlight:

Kenwood House: Has works by Rembrandt, Turner, Reynolds, Vermeer and Gainsborough. The villa on London's Hampstead Heath has been holding picnic concerts for 55 years. It will host Rufus Wainwright and Van Morrison this summer.

Somerset House: The Courtauld Gallery in one wing has impressionist and post-impressionist works along with sketches by Michelangelo. The Fratellis and Duffy are among artists who will perform this year.

Knebworth: Having made its name in the 1970s hosting Led Zeppelin and Queen, it was chosen by Oasis to host their biggest concert in 1996 and by Robbie Williams in 2003 when he performed for 375,000 people. It has a permanent collection of Indian artifacts and a painting by Winston Churchill.

Seal To Release Soul Album

October 15, 2008

It seems Seal is turning to soul music now.

Seal will release a new covers album called "Soul" on November 11th and you can listen to the first single "A Change Is Gonna Come" right here.

Very interesting news actually. He's seems to have done a Robbie Williams on us and perhaps isn't going to let us put him in a box of being just a pop/dance wonder.

Electroqueer (http://zxlcreative.blogs.com/electroqueer/2008/10/seal-to-release.html)

Coldplay organising Knebworth gig

17 October 2008

Coldplay are planning to play a massive one-off gig in the grounds of Knebworth House in Hertfordshire.

Chris Martin revealed the news exclusively to Zane Lowe on Radio 1 on Thursday night.

Though no arrangements have been confirmed, the frontman explained that Coldplay are trying to book a show at the site.

In 1996 Oasis played two shows in the grounds, while Robbie Williams played three in 2003.

Martin explained to the DJ: "We're trying to book a place that rhymes with Blebworth.

"We realised there's a lot of people who don't like us in Britain but, you know, they don't have to come."

However, the singer revealed Coldplay aren't out to beat Robbie Williams' three-night run, which saw an estimated 375,000 people attend.

"We're not gonna do three [nights], Robbie did three," he explained.

"We'd be happy with one. Then the next day can be some kind of caravan conference."

BBC Newsbeat (http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/music/newsid_7676000/7676265.stm)

I can't wait to do our annual Top Ten albums list this year. I could probably do twenty, where last year, I could barely do ten and had to stretch to find ten *great* albums. Even better, I think I've found more good music this year as the paradigm shifted somewhere along the way. I can't quite put my finger on it, but things like lala.com, iTunes' Genius function, and social networks have given us ways to find new music where radio has failed. With a couple albums left to drop that could squeeze their way in if they're not massive disappointments like the new Snow Patrol, really good albums like Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" are likely to be on the outside looking in.

I'm still in the early stages of listening to Glasvegas' eponymous debut, but I can't imagine in not being on the list. Yes, they're overhyped in Britain, but in the US, they're as likely to be Robbie Williams as they are Oasis. Listening to the album, from the glistening and heartbreaking opener to the end track, it's a giant bundle of influences, as if everything in their music collection spilled onto the vinyl. (Yes, this album just feels like vinyl.)
Right off the bat, there's an Oasis feel in their pop songs. There's also a retro, Phil Spector vibe to the ringing guitars and girl-group pop-candy vocals. There's an obvious Jesus and Mary Chain feel that some have called "Proclaimers with a delay pedal"; I'll be a bit kinder. There's echoes of anthemic early U2, influences of angst-driven early Clash, and then a whole section of Glaswegian narrative that you'll need a Wikipedia page and a translator to get inside.

James Allan's accented vocals are a love or hate proposition and the reverbed guitars you haven't heard since early My Morning Jacket or late Phil Spector are the same. And yes, the hype around the band is as big and bad as any since Take That. The thing is here, the influences and hype don't really matter when they get it right. When Allan soars into the hook of "Daddy's Gone", when the guitar kicks in on "It's My Own Cheating Heart ..", and when you find yourself singing along with "Go Square Go", all that doesn't matter. It's just simply a stunning debut that can't be ignored.

It's as likely to be noticed in the US as The Libertines, but in Friedman's flat world, who cares about borders? Great music is great music and in the niches that Facebook defines, merit trumps sales out on the long tail, right?

Comments
2008-10-29 13:34:121. Eric Enders
Speaking of My Morning Jacket, their new record would be number one with a bullet on my list so far.

I haven't heard the whole Coldplay album, and am frankly not all that interested in hearing it, but the song "Viva la Vida" is one hell of a good single.


2008-10-29 19:28:022. Will Carroll
Eric -- it's definitely in my top ten right now (MMJ). Agree on Coldplay. I like that they swung for the fences, but this was a "Ryan Howard" album -- there are some holes and some strikeouts.

Source (http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1169854.html)

Connie Mitchell: I don't want to talk about the spaceship

Connie Mitchell, 25, fronts pop disco act Sneaky Sound System, who have won awards in their native Australia and toured with the Scissor Sisters and Robbie Williams. Their single Pictures was one of Kylie Minogue's records of the year and their new track, UFO, is out this week. Their British tour starts in Birmingham on November 10.


Connie Mitchell: I don't want to talk about the spaceship
by ANDREW WILLIAMS - Tuesday, November 4, 2008 ger Connie Mitchell, 25, fronts pop disco act Sneaky Sound System, who have won awards in their native Australia and toured with the Scissor Sisters and Robbie Williams. Their single Pictures was one of Kylie Minogue's records of the year and their new track, UFO, is out this week. Their British tour starts in Birmingham on November 10.

Were you really abducted by aliens?
Yes. I don't want to sound like I'm crazy, though. Let's say they came for a visit and I lost some time.

Can you remember what happened on the spaceship?
Yeah, I can but I don't want to talk about it. I don't want people saying: 'What's wrong with this girl?'

Have you ever had a supernatural experience?
Yes. Oh no, I'm going to sound like one of those weirdos who sits in cafés in Amsterdam reading self-help books. I saw a ghost's face at the end of my bed. Everyone says: 'Oh man, I'd love to see a ghost,' but hardly anyone does because we're not focused on the right plane of existence. I was focusing so hard to see it but then it just went. I think it was the same ghost who'd been sitting on my chest in the night-time. I don't think they're trying to be scary, they just want to get your attention.

You're famous in Australia but recently did some low-key support slots here. How was that?
It's good. I like it gritty. It reminds you you're alive. You've got to fight in life but I don't turn up at the venues shouting: 'Where's my cheese platter?' You can determine the success of the group by the quality of their food platter.

What platters can you expect back home?
Ones with a couple of Peperamis and maybe a packet of crisps.

What's the worst gig you've done?
It was a festival in Sydney. There was a guy at the front who was making obscene gestures at me. He was like some biker voyeur. I couldn't concentrate. I've seen a couple of obscene gestures but, my God, he went right through the list that night.

What was it like supporting Robbie Williams?
Amazing. It's a wonderful experience playing to 50,000 people a night. I could do with a bit more of that. I'm all for being thrown in at the deep end. Sink or swim, that's what I say.

What was he like?
He was very nice. Charming. A womaniser - but of course he is, he's Robbie Williams.

What was the first record you bought?
Eurythmics - the one with her doing that 'look at my muscles' pose. Actually I didn't buy it, my dad gave it to me, he really liked them. I was young and when your parents like something, you wholeheartedly give it a go. I'm glad I didn't just get swept away by whatever was popular.

What's your favourite item of clothing?
I've just got some amazing Pierre Hardy shoes. They're made from electric blue wetsuit material.

How was it working with Kanye West [on his album Graduation]?
It was surreal, I don't know how it happened, really. He's a musical genius, he's a great collator. If his music was a pizza it would be the most amazing pizza in the world. Working with him meant to me that I'm not half bad. He got five tracks out of it so it must have been OK for him, too.

What do you miss when you're away from Australia?
Pavlovas. It's an awful lot of work to make a pavlova. And the ocean. But I can make a home anywhere. All it takes is a few pictures on the wall.

Who is the rudest pop star you've met?
I haven't met any, I'm glad to say. But I am concerned that if I met Peter Gabriel or Phil Collins and they were a***holes I wouldn't be able to listen to their records again.

The recession's on, have you got any money-saving tips?
Grow your own vegetables and slaughter your own fowl.

Have you ever grown a potato?
No, but I've grown some herbs in my time, ha ha. I don't just talk the talk, I walk the walk.

Source (http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/interviews/article.html?Connie_Mitchell%3a_I_dont_want_to_tal k_about_the_spaceship&in_article_id=384835&in_page_id=11&in_a_source=)

X-Factor Minogue is 'not dumped'

Minogue said Hylton "may be X-Factor's Robbie Williams"
X-Factor contestent Rachel Hylton has rejected press reports that she has "dumped" her mentor Dannii Minogue.

According to The Mirror newspaper, Hylton had "sacked" Minogue to compete without the aid of a judge.

But 26-year-old mother-of-five Hylton issued a statement to say: "Dannii is still very much my mentor and I respect her opinions."

"All I want is a little more control over my performance and styling, which she is allowing me to have," she added

'Team Minogue'

"But I am a fully fledged member of Team Minogue."

Minogue said: "Rachel and I have not fallen out and there has never been any discussions that she wishes to leave Team Minogue."

"Rachel is a raw talent. She may be the Robbie Williams of The X Factor, but I back her 100% and want her to be happy." she added.

Hylton has narrowly escaped being voted off the show after landing in the bottom two contestants last week.

The X Factor charity single, Hero, sung by the show's 12 finalists, is at the top of the UK charts for a second week this week.

Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7710818.stm)

An Anatomy of 'Feel', by Robbie Williams

Thursday, 6 November 2008

"NEEEYAAA!" says Dean.
"NeeEEIIiiyaaaa," I repeat.

I should explain.

Last weekend, I led, to a substantial degree, the worship at Fixed, the 5pm youth-orientated service at Christ Church Cockfosters. Aiming to appeal to teenagers and students but by no means excluding adults, this is church with a difference: loud rock band, flashy lights, big-screen videos and everybody comfortable on bean bags. Thing was, I wasn't supposed to lead: I was due to play in the band but only the day before received a phone call saying that Judith, who plays the piano, sings and generally runs the show extremely well, was ill, and would I be able to take the reins?

Part of me was very excited - I've led songs before, having talked my way into becoming a singer and guitarist for the band. But on those previous occasions I've had the full band with me: now I was going to be the principal musician, and co-lead singer, for songs I really didn't know very well.

I was most worried about Feel, by Robbie Williams.

For the easily confused, Feel is not a worship song and, to the best of my knowledge, isn't intended to be Christian. However, Fixed have recently been running a series called It's Not Complicated, in which, among other features, a modern song is used each week to start the service. A line from the lyrics of the song is then used to provide a theme for the week. First they used Coldplay's Vida la Viva; on another occasion they used Oasis' Wonderwall; and on my last band appearance I sang The Fray's How to Save a Life, from which the line "and pray to God He hears you" was used.

"Come on take my hand,
I want to contact the living"

The problem with Feel is that it is piano based, and we had just lost our pianist.

Conveniently for me, my housemate Dean is a guitar teacher and is incredibly talented - within two to three minutes he had the introduction, solo and solo chords converted for the guitar, and within another few minutes he'd corrected the faulty tabulature that I had downloaded and calculated the bass line throughout. Now I had to learn it.

I have never had a singing lesson in my life. Until my good friend Nelly made me, I never knew that I could sing and certainly would never have done in public. Inconveniently, there is a part of Feel that is just beyond my break, and not knowing how to hit those notes, I simply wasn't trying. A 'break' is something Nelly used to talk about when we played in Birmingham and Sidmouth, but she seemed to know how to get around hers, leaving me to sing within my comfortable range. But to stay within my range in Feel sounded rubbish, killing the momentum that I could achieve at the beginning of the chorus. So Dean and I proceeded to anatomically break down the song, to work out how Robbie, not known for difficult vocals, managed to pull it off.

Thus began a study of breathing techniques, stomach movements, nasal tones and the fabled break note of A sharp. The first observation was that Robbie cheats, only marginally hitting the required notes at times (your mind fills in the gaps); second that the lines immediately preceding the problematic lyric are sung with a different breathing pattern - this is obvious in the record, but I had always assumed it to be a deliberate, perhaps computerized patch used for effect. Instead, Robbie is changing from his chest voice to his head voice, becoming deliberately husky in preparation for the next line which, in the absence of any ability to use musical parlance, simply needs to be "belted out". (The lines are: "'Cause I got too much life, running through my veins, going to waste", and the one to belt out is "And I need to feel real love, and a life ever after".)

Knowing all of this, and learning more about my limits, my throat's capabilities, it was simply a matter of practice until I could do it. What followed was about an hour of Dean and I screaming, using head voices (usually horrendously out of tune), first learning what to do with my mouth and throat muscles to stop my natural urge to cough when exerting myself, and running through scales in a Sound of Music fashion, only above my break and in the style of the Bee Gees.

"NEEEYAAA!" says Dean.
"NeeEEIIiiyaaaa," I repeat.
And repeat. Again and again until I could pull off a clean "NEEEYAAA!", at which point Dean will make me go higher, or change to a "WAAAAAA!", which comes out as "WAAAAeeeeEEEEEaaaaa!", as if I'm going through puberty all over again. It is highly embarassing, I'm really not used to making noises like this. I'm usually too reserved. But he got me started, and knowing that nobody was listening, I went for it.

By the end of the evening I could consistently keep above my break for the entire section, without my throat seizing up, without the need to cough. I could keep the momentum. Heck, if I had been in tune I might even say that I could do it.

My throat hurt, though.

And so to 5pm the next day. We've shortened Feel to two verses, two choruses and a bit of instrumental. In the end, I didn't try to hit those notes, as they were still coming out out of tune. The rest of the set seemed to work brilliantly: new song Great is the Lord had been stripped down to make it simpler for the congregation to learn (which meant it was just me and my guitar for the first minute and a half); The Splendour of the King featured a vocal solo from me and an a capella outro duet (co-vocalist Steph doing a much better job than me); and Hallelujah (Worthy of our Praise)*, which I didn't know before I arrived, came out as an extremely exciting funked up piece of pure rock - not quite what the organisers had in mind but we had fun.

My thanks go to Steph, Johnny and Jarrett, who are all extremely talented and were the real talent in the band.

I shall be joining the worship team again in two weeks.

Simon Says (http://srbishop.blogspot.com/2008/11/anatomy-of-feel-by-robbie-williams.html)

ONE of the very best things about working on Bizarre is the chance to hear hellraising rockstars recounting their showbiz shenanigans.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e207/kes102458/kellyjones.jpg
Kelly Jones.....for those that don't know. :re:

And STEREOPHONICS frontman KELLY JONES is absolutely brimming with great pub tales.
The gravel-voiced Welsh singer has just told me a star-studded belter involving RONNIE WOOD, ROD STEWART, ROBBIE WILLIAMS and SLASH — a pretty impressive line-up for a supergroup, never mind a night on the tiles in the US.



Kelly said: “I was at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in Los Angeles with Ron a few years back. Then Slash turns up and Rod Stewart a bit later.
“We’re sat there and Rod gets up to go to the bathroom. Then I saw Robbie Williams walk into the hotel reception and head through to the bar.
“When Rod came back I mentioned it in passing that Robbie was there without thinking.
“It wasn’t long after Robbie had started seeing Rod’s old missus RACHEL HUNTER. When I mentioned it Rod got up and went through to set Robbie straight on a few things. He was rolling up his sleeves when he left.



“He came back through after as if nothing had happened but Robbie didn’t hang about.
“But you know Robbie’s all right, man. You can’t knock him for showin’ Ms Hunter a good time.
“Rod and Ron spent the night winding each other up, it was class.
“He’s a really good friend Ron. I love him and Jo, they always treated me like family at their home — he is one of the warmest people I’ve ever met.”
I sat down for a pint with Kelly on a rainy London afternoon to discuss his band’s “best of” album which is out this week.

Decade In The Sun is packed with a credit crunch-busting 20 tracks — including a cover or Handbags And Gladrags, which Rod also recorded. Not many bands can boast about being in the business as long as the Stereophonics, who have had five No1 albums and twice as many Top Ten singles.
Kelly added: “We’ve been doing this a long time and it felt like the right time to put the best of out. All those songs take me back to special times and playing them live again recently has been great.
“We’ve had six albums and not many bands these days get past their first.
“It seems like yesterday when we were going to our first big gig in Leeds in the back of a van. They served us lasagne in dog bowls.”
He’s a top lad Kelly and the album, which is at No2 in the midweek charts, will be another big success to stick on his bulging rock CV.

SOURCE (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article1919675.ece)

Sounds like an old story, but it mentions my two favorite singers so who cares. :shell:

can ya move it Laura if ive posted it in the wrong thread :LML:

and who's ya 2 favourites...Rod and Ron :pmsl:

can ya move it Laura if ive posted it in the wrong thread :LML:

and who's ya 2 favourites...Rod and Ron :pmsl:

:shellslap:

Rob and Kelly ... in fact Stereophonics cover of Gladrags and Handbags is very good. (Rods song)

:shellslap:

Rob and Kelly ... in fact Stereophonics cover of Gladrags and Handbags is very good. (Rods song)


got to say I love that song and with Kelly's voice I bet he sings it beautifully too :slow:

yep probably an old story...bloody google are sooooooooooooooo behind :jackie: mind you ive not heard it before :noway:

Some of the story is new because they did just release a Greatest Hits...mish mash.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh???????
Kelly.... whoooo????????????? o.O

Saturday, November 15, 2008
Knebworthless

Less than a month after Coldplay bragged to Zane Lowe about how they were going to play Knebworth, Chris Martin has admitted that, actually, they haven't been able to book the Country House. Even Liam and Noel managed that. Even Robbie Williams managed that.


Source (http://xrrf.blogspot.com/2008/11/knebworthless.html)

Extract from an article on the Killers (http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article5139607.ece)

Their most famous lyrical couplet, “I got soul, but I’m not a soldier,” has been incorporated into live performances by Bono, Robbie Williams and Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who took to announcing on stage: “What a great band the Killers are!”

Coldplay for Wembley?

Monday November 17

Coldplay are lining-up summer 2009 shows at Wembley Stadium, according to hints dropped by Chris Martin.

The band are thought to have been in discussions with bosses at Knebworth, the scene of previous live triumphs from Oasis and Robbie Williams.

However, that idea is now off the table and the group look set to appear at London's most famous venue instead.

"Well, we tried to get Knebworth but it just wasn't possible. So we're having to think of something else", Martin told coldplay.com.

"In fact, I think we have thought of something else. Hopefully we'll be able to announce it soon. And hopefully it's not the same day that Oasis have booked it", he continued.

As previously reported, Noel Gallagher and co play a major UK tour next summer, including three dates at Wembley in July.

Yahoo News (http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/081117/340/iaqna.html&e=l_news_dm)

Monday, November 17, 2008

Music Video Monday: Robbie Williams

Robbie Williams - Millennium (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GPvJBCCk4Q&eurl=http://sansego.blogspot.com/2008/11/music-video-monday-robbie-williams.html) (YouTube)

Since we're coming off a James Bond weekend, in which the latest film in the series has grossed over $70 in three days, today's Music Video Monday will feature Robbie Williams' Bond-esque "Millennium" video. The song came out in 1999 and samples the classic Bond song "You Only Live Twice" by Nancy Sinatra. It's no secret that Robbie Williams idolized James Bond and might harbor a secret wish to play Bond in a film or two someday. This video makes his bid, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Maybe he can be tapped to sing a theme song.

Blogsource (http://sansego.blogspot.com/2008/11/music-video-monday-robbie-williams.html)

Talking Shop: Sir Tom Jones

Extract from article:

What is the secret of successfully reinventing yourself?

I don't think music has changed that much since the '50s, when rock 'n' roll kicked in. Sounds have changed.

I've always liked to try new things - I've never been satisfied to rest on my laurels. I've always wanted to move on. Not to forget what I've done, but I'm always adding new things, especially to my live show. I like not to be pigeonholed.

There are lots of stage musicals about pop stars - has anyone ever suggested a Tom Jones musical?

No, but somebody asked that if something was done on your life, who would you like to play you?

At the time, I thought Robbie Williams would be good to play me because he's a cheeky chappie and so was I when I was his age.

I'm not a big musical fan myself. But then again, you never know. I'd have to know that the songs were right and it was an edgy thing rather than being flowery.

What do you do when you're not making music?

I'm making music most of the time, so I don't take a lot of time off. And I don't have hobbies.

Singing is my hobby. I'm always involved in some way with music - I'm either listening to it, or creating it, or doing live shows. I don't have anything that would take its place. Some entertainers play golf, or something else. But I don't have that.

Full article: BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7725216.stm)

Happiness is a Marillion gig (http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/18/happiness-is-a-marillion-gig/)

At one point Hogarth donned a jacket and drark-framed glasses, transforming himself into a nondescript teacher or a librarian for The Invisible Man and on Three Minute Boy with its infectious “la-la-la” singalong, joked: “Whatever happened to Robbie Williams?”
There may be many naysayers who ask “Whatever happened to Marillion?” The answer is that they are alive and well and still making magnificent music.

Il Divo spreads 'popera' across the world

Extract from article:

"CNN: Are you surprised by how much of a hit you've become?

Marin: In a way, yeah. I still remember the first time we went to number one (in the UK). We knocked out Robbie Williams and it was just like "Wow!"

Full article: CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/25/il.divo/index.html?eref=rss_latest)

Published: Thursday, 27th November, 2008 12:00
Dunfermline sax player in LA gig with Robbie Williams

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q249/DANIROB/PR%20Article%20pics/cropimagephp.jpg




ATHOLL RANSOME’S address book reads like a who’s who of contemporary British pop.
Amy Winehouse, Corrine Bailey Rae, KT Tunstall and Duran Duran (well not all contemporary) are just some of the names who have called on his Haggis Horns group to provide the best brass backing in the biz, both live and in the studio.
But the Dunfermline born and bred professional saxophonist particularly cherishes supporting one former Stoke on Trent ex-pat.
He said, “We went to LA at the start of last summer with (DJ and producer) Mark Ronson, who was promoting his Version album in America.
“We did a gig, and because LA’s that type of place, we’d been told there would be a lot of celebs – so Jay Z and Kanye West were in the audience.
“Mark said he had a bit of a surprise for us – Robbie Williams was coming along to sing with us that night. We could hardly believe it.
“He did the Charlatan’s song The Only One I Know, but he screwed up some of the words so it was the only one he didn’t know!
“But Robbie covered it well ... he’s such an amazing performer that no-one noticed or cared and he brought the house down. It was amazing – he’s a hell of a frontman.”
The Haggis Horns have just completed a tour of Scotland previewing new material from their follow-up to debut album ‘Hot Damn!’.
Atholl (31) honed his skills by playing sax and flute in The Fife Youth Orchestra as well as the Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra, while a pupil at Dunfermline High School.
He left for Leeds College of Music in 1995, meeting up with Scottish musicians Malcolm Strachan and Jason Rae to provide recordings for various TV and recording work.
But their original funk and afro-beat soon caught the attention of in-demand New York-based producer and Brit Award winner Mark Ronson, who took the band under his wing and on tour across the world as the Version Players.
The Version album has been huge in the UK, with its funked-up covers of, among others, the Kaiser Chiefs, Amy Winehouse and Radiohead.
But it’s the acclaimed live show that owes a not inconsiderable debt to the Haggis Horns.
And what of that bee-hived, brass-necked, cigarette-stained Amy Winehouse?
“When Amy did work with Mark the first year, she was looking for a sax player and I got the gig,” said Atholl.
“So I worked with her for four months a couple of years ago and finished up just after the Brits.
“At the time she didn’t have any of the problems she has now – she wasn’t quite as famous and was with a boyfriend who was really nice. She still liked the drink and stuff, but was quite normal.”
And it’s the normal lifestyle Atholl craves, seeking respite from the world of rock’n’roll at his quiet home in Hebden Bridge, near Halifax.
But the ties with his West Fife homeland remain strong.
“I like to get to Dunfermline when I can,” he said.
“I know the Alhambra’s back up and running and I’d love to do a Dunfermline gig with this band there, definitely. My mum still stays in Dunfermline too.
"We’re finishing up our follow-up album, hopefully to release it early next year then tour it.
"We didn’t get the chance to do that last time because of our work with Mark Ronson.”
With awareness growing in the music industry about The Haggis Horns, Atholl is confident they can step out of Ronson’s shadow and make it on their own terms.
He added, “It’s not quite commercial enough to make a big impact on the charts but I definitely think our music will go down well at festivals.
"Having a second album behind us will let more people hear us too.”


SOURCE (http://www.dunfermlinepress.com/articles/1/31273)

yep we already know Robbie is one hell of a performer...he's just got IT :yay:

yep we already know Robbie is one hell of a performer...he's just got IT :yay:

Yeh, to bad no one has seen a performance for 2 years........

I didn't listen to the words when I saw that video (The Only One I Know), I just looked LOL, what a performance

SLASH's QUART Festival 'Wish List' Revealed? - Nov. 26, 2008

According to Side2, former GUNS N' ROSES and current VELVET REVOLVER guitarist Slash is trying to get Robbie Williams, Fergie (BLACK EYED PEAS), Jack White (THE WHITE STRIPES) and Fred Durst (LIMP BIZKIT) to join him for his headlining appearance at next year's edition of the Quart festival, set to take place June 30 - July 4, 2009 in Kristiansand, Norway. Slash will perform a mixture of old and new material on the festival's opening day.

Source : http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=109695

Robbie and Slash are both from the same town...good luck but won't hold my breath.

well you learn something every day....I never knew Slash was a bloke from Stoke :noway:

Neither did i, that's cool, and underneath that hair there is a very handsome man!! and one of the best guitarists in the world.


:guitar:

Saul Hudson was born on July 23 1965 in West Hampstead, London, England to a white English father and African American mother. Slash's mother, Ola Hudson, worked as a costume designer for David Bowie among many other actors and musicians, and his father was an artist who contributed live ensembles for famous musicians including Neil Young and Joni Mitchell.

Slash was raised in the city of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, until the age of 11, when his parents relocated the family to Los Angeles, California

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash_(musician))

SLASH's QUART Festival 'Wish List' Revealed? - Nov. 26, 2008

According to Side2, former GUNS N' ROSES and current VELVET REVOLVER guitarist Slash is trying to get Robbie Williams, Fergie (BLACK EYED PEAS), Jack White (THE WHITE STRIPES) and Fred Durst (LIMP BIZKIT) to join him for his headlining appearance at next year's edition of the Quart festival, set to take place June 30 - July 4, 2009 in Kristiansand, Norway. Slash will perform a mixture of old and new material on the festival's opening day.

Source : http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=109695
There was also a rumour about Robbie and a festival in Norway in Sandness (Robbie Williams offered £50,000 a minute for Norwegian concert (http://www.purerobbie.com/showthread.php?t=18254)). They don't seem to have anything to do with eachother though.